Figure 2 – Process flowsheet of the integrated NovaCell™ Coarse Waste Rejection (CWR) circuit. To ensure statistical significance and operational consistency during the Viper™ laboratory filtration tests, a substantial volume of each material was prepared. The current baseline material was designated as Sample_01_BL, while the engineered tailings produced by the NovaCell™ were designated as Sample_02_NC. The physical and operational characteristics of these samples are detailed in table 1. Table 1 – Comparative analysis of physical properties and filtration performance for Baseline and NovaCell™ CWR tailings. Parameter Unit Type 1: Current Operation Reference Baseline Type 2: NovaCell™ CWR Engineered Tailings Circuit Origin — Traditional Fine Flotation Integrated Coarse Rejection Target Product — Sample_01_BL Sample_02_NC P80 Particle Size µm 147 395 Slurry Density %w/w 58% 58% The filtration experiments were conducted using the Viper™ Bench Test Rig (Figure 3), a laboratory-scale dewatering system developed by Jord International for advanced solid–liquid separation (Fig. 3). The apparatus integrates a high-efficiency vacuum pump, a pneumatic compression cylinder, and a specialized vibration plunger. The pneumatic cylinder is regulated to apply a direct mechanical force to the filter cake, with operating pressures adjustable between 15 and 100 psi. Concurrent with vacuum and compression, the system employs a high-frequency vibrator, controlled via a pressure range of 100 to 600 psi, to disrupt the cake's internal structure and accelerate moisture removal.
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