Process air is supplied to the process by two 150 HP, 1200 nm3/hr, 250 kPa compressors. Each compressor is a totally self-contained package. Each compressor is an electric motor driven, single stage screw compressor complete with accessories piped, wired and baseplate mounted. Under normal operating conditions only one of the two compressors will be used.
Compressed air from either compressor is discharged into a 3′-6” diam. x 6′-0″ high process air receiver/separator. The receiver is equipped with a pressure indicator and a pressure safety relief valve.
Compressed air is discharged from the receiver where the air pressure is maintained at 36 psig by a pressure control valve. The compressed air line is also equipped with a low pressure switch and alarm and will alarm at the mill control panel annunciator if the process air pressure drops below 20 psig.
Process air is used in the primary and Argentite leach tanks for gold and silver dissolution and in the conditioning tanks for cyanide destruction.
Refer to the equipment manufacturer’s operation manual for detailed operating instructions for the process air compressors.
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Plant air is supplied to the plant by a 75 HP, 500 nm3/hr, 770 kPa compressor. The plant air compressor is an electric motor driven, single stage, screw compressor complete with accessories piped, wired and baseplate mounted.
Compressed plant air from the plant air compressor is passed through a moisture separator and into the plant air receiver . The plant air receiver is equipped with a pressure indicator and pressure safety relief valve. The air discharge line from the receiver is equipped with a low pressure switch and alarm and will alarm at the mill control panel annunciator if the plant air pressure drops below 60 psig.
An air line from the process air compressor to the plant air receiver is provided as an emergency plant air supply. Compressed air from the process air compressor can be directed to the plant air receiver by adjusting the 3 way control valve.
Air supplied to the lime silo and the precipitate dryer is dried in the in-line air dryer.
Plant air is also supplied to air actuated solenoid-valves and to hose stations located throughout the plant.
Plant air is used throughout the plant for the operation of the following equipment:
- Ball mill clutch system
- Cyclone apex valves
- Lime storage silo
- Precipitate dryer dust collector
- Precipitate filter
- Samplers
Refer to the equipment manufacturer’s operation manual detailed operating instructions for plant air compressor.