Thickener is a device used to separate solid particles from liquids, and its working principle is based on the principles of sedimentation and separation. The following is the general working principle of the thickener:
Slurry introduction: The thickener's work begins with the introduction of a feed mixture of solid particles and liquid (called slurry) into the equipment. Usually, these slurry are produced from mines, smelting, or other industrial processes.
Settling action: Once the slurry is introduced to the thickener, it will sit in a similar round or conical pool or tank. Gravity plays a key role in making solid particles gradually sink because they are heavier than liquids. This results in the gradual downward deposition of solid particles, which reduces the volume of the slurry.
Clarification liquid separation: At the top of the thickener, there is a liquid overflow tank or overflow port. As the solid particles gradually settle and accumulate at the bottom of the pool, the clear liquid portion gradually rises and flows out through the overflow port. This clear liquid is called the clarified liquid and usually contains few or no solid particles.
Solid particle collection: The concentrate at the bottom, which contains a large number of solid particles, often referred to as mud. Mud is drained from the bottom on a regular or continuous basis and can be further treated for other industrial uses.
Adjust concentration: The operator can control the solids concentration obtained by adjusting the operating parameters of the thickener, such as feed speed, depth of the pool, and location of the overflow port. This allows different concentrations of concentrate to be obtained as needed.
The thickener works on the basis of gravity separation, and its main purpose is to separate the liquid from the solid particles in order to extract useful substances from the slurry or dispose of the waste. Different types of thickeners may differ in terms of operation and performance, but their basic working principles are similar.