TECHNICAL ADVANCES AND COST BENEFIT FROM CFD MODELLING
Kahane, R.B.
Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Modelling of process unit operations is a tool that is being used increasingly by mineral processing industries to reduce operating and capital costs and increase throughput.
Worsley Alumina first became involved with CFD modelling through AMIRA thickener project 266A in Q4 1994 with the CSIRO Division of Minerals as part of that project.
The benefits of obtaining a better understanding of flow patterns in thickeners using this type of modelling became obvious and a number of one on one projects commenced in Q3 1995 and are still continuing.
The CFD modelling has led to development of innovative changes in settlers and washers that have resulted in improved process stabilisation, reduced chemical costs, and very large savings in capital requirements for our major expansion.
The paper outlines details of an individual CFD modelling project and cost benefits achieved from completed projects.