Kemix Mineral Processing Equipment

Nameplate identification and engineering drawings verification

Factory nameplates on Kemix (Pty) Ltd equipment specify model designation, unique machine serial numbers, and assembly drawing codes. For large Pumpcell plants and regeneration kilns, rating plates are affixed to the structural base frame and master control cabinet.

Every piece of Kemix equipment is engineered against site-specific metallurgical flowsheets reflecting slurry rheology and abrasion characteristics. The factory serial number enables full retrieval of original fabrication drawings and material certificates.

In Kemix technical documentation, subassemblies carry distinct group codes (e.g. E30368 for 300E kilns or P26672 for drive mechanisms). Providing group and item part numbers expedites procurement.

If nameplates have suffered slurry erosion, specify overall vessel dimensions, launder port diameters, drive shaft sizes, and submit field sketches with dimensional measurements.

Selection and maintenance protocols for MPS and MPS(P) screens

Kemix MPS and MPS(P) interstage screens operate under continuous abrasive wear from high-velocity mineral pulp. The primary wear component is the cylindrical Wedge Wire basket manufactured from grade 316L stainless steel.

Tank elevation configuration dictates screen selection: cascading tanks with stepped hydraulic head utilize passive MPS screens, whereas same-elevation tank circuits require MPS(P) screens equipped with up-pumping impellers.

On MPS(P) units, the bottom-mounted impeller generates sufficient hydraulic head to pump slurry into the adjacent adsorption vessel. Impeller wear directly degrades transfer volume and causes tank overflow.

Routine maintenance encompasses gauge inspection of slot apertures (standard 0.63–0.80 mm), checking for carbon blinding, and verifying structural integrity across basket support ribs.

Operational parameters of 300E carbon regeneration rotary kilns

Kemix 300E indirectly fired rotary kilns reactivate loaded activated carbon following elution. Thermal reactivation proceeds at 650–750 °C within an oxygen-depleted steam blanket over a 10 to 30 minute retention period.

The rotating retort tube is fabricated from high-temperature nickel-chromium alloys subjected to severe thermal cycles. Precision straightness and concentricity tolerances prevent barrel runout and hot spot formation.

The variable-speed dewatering screw feeder delivers uniform carbon throughput into the furnace while disengaging excess transport water prior to heating.

Preventive maintenance schedules focus on drive chain tensioning, thrust roller alignment, lubrication needle valves, and thermal gland packing seals at feed and discharge hoods.

Application advantages of carousel Pumpcell adsorption circuits

Kemix Pumpcell technology supersedes conventional cascading CIP circuits with a compact carousel layout where contactor tanks share a single horizontal elevation.

Rotating pulp feed and discharge positions simulates counter-current carbon movement without mechanical interstage carbon pumping, eliminating carbon breakage and associated gold loss to tailings.

Beyond conventional CIP gold circuits, Pumpcells are highly effective in Resin-in-Pulp (RIP) applications where fragile ion-exchange resin beads require gentle slurry handling during uranium and base metal recovery.

Slurry stream diversion is executed by automated Launder Gate Valves equipped with pneumatic or hydraulic actuators ensuring positive zero-leakage isolation.

Technical evaluation of metallurgical equipment proposals

When comparing commercial proposals for Kemix mineral processing equipment and genuine spare parts, perform a thorough cross-examination of engineering drawings, wetted parts metallurgy, and drive specifications.

Basic assemblies for neutral slurries differ substantially from heavy-duty 316L stainless steel, duplex, or titanium builds tailored for aggressive acidic leach environments.

For interstage screening equipment, carefully verify screen basket dimensions, Wedge Wire slot aperture width, and whether an up-pumping impeller is integrated.

Replacing an MPS(P) pumping screen with a passive MPS unit upsets hydraulic equilibrium, inevitably resulting in upstream adsorption tank overflow.

When assessing wear-resistant polyurethane liners and rubber plug seals for Kemix Launder Valves, confirm chemical compatibility against cyanide solutions, mineral acids, and desorption reagents. Inferior elastomers degrade rapidly under abrasive metallurgical slurry flows.

If a bid includes replacement retort tubes for carbon regeneration kilns or large-diameter agitator shafts, insist on mill test certificates verifying chemical composition, heat treatment, and dynamic balancing reports for rotating hardware.

Clarify full bill of materials inclusions such as mating flanges, fasteners, specialty limit switches, and factory operating manuals in English.

Site receipt inspection and pre-commissioning verification

Upon delivery of Kemix processing equipment at the mine site, designate a joint mechanical and metallurgical inspection team to conduct thorough incoming quality verification.

Examine transport crating and inspect precision-machined shaft journals, flanged connections, and delicate cylindrical Wedge Wire screen baskets. Any impact damage or denting across the wire profile disrupts slot accuracy and causes valuable carbon adsorbent loss.

Verify nameplate stamping details, drawing reference codes, and serial numbers against shipping manifests and manufacturer test certificates. Retain all metallurgical documentation for plant asset records.

Prior to lifting agitator mechanisms and MPS(P) screens into place, verify smooth hand rotation of drive shafts, check for runout tolerances in heavy-duty bearing housings, and confirm correct synthetic lubricant grades within gear reducers.

During installation of Launder Gate Valves, verify strict parallelism across U-frame guide channels and ensure balanced compression of the polyurethane bottom T-seal across the entire closing stroke.

Preventive maintenance and condition monitoring protocols

To safeguard continuous multi-year operation across CIL, CIP, and elution circuits, maintain structured condition monitoring schedules for all installed Kemix machinery.

On MPS and MPS(P) interstage screens, log differential slurry head across the Wedge Wire basket daily. A sudden pressure surge indicates profile blinding or coarse particle wedging requiring ultrasonic or high-pressure spray cleaning.

For rotary carbon reactivation kilns (such as Kemix 300E), perform weekly checks on drive chain tension, thrust roller tracking, lubrication needle valves, and bearing operating temperatures. Roller misalignment causes irregular tyre wear and uneven shell heat distribution.

Inspect electrowinning cells for busbar contact resistance, polypropylene insulator degradation, and tank liner integrity. Maintain strategic site inventories of Wedge Wire screen baskets, pumping impellers, valve seal sets, and kiln drive spares to prevent prolonged process downtime.