The
counter-current decantation circuit shown of the Sweetwater
Mill consists of six (6) 32 foot in diameter EnviroClear thickner
tanks. These are high rate thickners and represent the technology
used at the Sweetwater Mill which was constructed in 1979 and
1980. Other uranium mills may use other types of thickners including
wood stave tanks. For example, wood stave tanks were used at
Chevron's Panna Maria Mill in South Texas. The tanks and piping
in the thickner section of the Sweetwater Mill are shown in
the *.dwf image in the AutoDesk ExpressViewer in the pop-up
flowsheet and arranged to allow for pumping the slurry from
leach (also called
underflow) in series and washing it with the overflow solution
to remove the soluble uranium. This is accomplished with the
de-aerators, rake mechanisms, overflow launders, underflow and
overflow pumps and the flocculant addition and dilution system.
The overflow is clarified and sent to the solvent
extraction portion of the circuit. The now barren slurry
is pumped to the tailings impoundment . (Photograph
courtesy of Kennecott Uranium Company)
The counter-current decantation circuit shown of the Sweetwater Mill consists of six (6) 32 foot in diameter EnviroClear thickner tanks. These are high rate thickners and represent the technology used at the Sweetwater Mill which was constructed in 1979 and 1980. Other uranium mills may use other types of thickners including wood stave tanks. For example, wood stave tanks were used at Chevron's Panna Maria Mill in South Texas. The tanks and piping in the thickner section of the Sweetwater Mill are shown in the *.dwf image in the AutoDesk ExpressViewer in the pop-up flowsheet and arranged to allow for pumping the slurry from leach (also called underflow) in series and washing it with the overflow solution to remove the soluble uranium. This is accomplished with the de-aerators, rake mechanisms, overflow launders, underflow and overflow pumps and the flocculant addition and dilution system. The overflow is clarified and sent to the solvent extraction portion of the circuit. The now barren slurry is pumped to the tailings impoundment . (Photograph courtesy of Kennecott Uranium Company)