Washing helps to improve the quality of aggregate end products, delivering a wide variety of materials suitable for construction use. We take a look at how the process performed by aggregate washing equipment works.
In essence, the aggregate washing process is a method used to remove impurities such as dust, mud, contaminants and other unwanted particles from aggregate, essential granular materials used in construction, including sand, gravel, crushed stone, slag, and recycled concrete. Aggregate washing equipment is necessary to produce high-quality concrete and asphalt, as well as to meet many construction specifications.
Aggregate Washing and classifying
The process starts by feeding the aggregate into a belt feeder, which conveys the material through the scalping, screening and washing processes.
A scalper, such as the T-Scalp 125, uses screens to separate the aggregate into different sizes. Next, the log washer uses a series of paddle-like logs to scrub the material. The logs are mounted on a shaft and rotate in opposite directions, creating a scrubbing action that removes impurities from the material. Log washers are typically used for larger aggregates and are more effective than other types of washer when it comes to removing stubborn impurities such as clay and dirt.
After the material has been washed, it is then conveyed to a rinsing screen which removes any remaining sand, thus creating the required aggregates.
A filter press is typically used after the aggregate has been washed and dried in the wash plant in order to further refine the quality of the material by removing any remaining impurities or contaminants.
The filter press separates the aggregate into different sizes and removes any remaining impurities, using a series of filters to separate solid particles from a liquid. Consisting of a series of plates that are pressed together using hydraulic pressure and cloth filters through which the liquid is forced under pressure, this process then leaves the solid particles behind. The filtered liquid is then collected and the solid particles, now compressed into a filter cake, can be used to create an additional dried product.
Of course, the specifics of the aggregate washing processes and the equipment can vary significantly, depending on the input materials and the desired aggregate products. As a result, our wash plant designs are bespoke and designed to respond both to your site conditions and production needs.
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To find out how Tyrone International’s game-changing approach to aggregate washing and water treatment plants can transform your operations by increasing productivity and lowering total cost of ownership, get in touch.
