IntroductionNZ Thickener is a center-drive gravity sedimentation equipment used for solid-liquid separation and slurry concentration. It operates on the principle of gravity settling: feed slurry enters the tank, solid particles settle to the bottom under gravity, forming a high-density underflow (thickened product), while clarified liquid overflows from the top as overflow. The settled solids are continuously scraped toward the central discharge outlet by a rotating rake mechanism.
Applications
- Mineral processing-Dewatering of concentrates (gold, copper, iron, etc.) and tailings in wet beneficiation circuits.
- Coal industry-Thickening and clarification of coal slurry and wash water.
- Chemical & Construction materials-Concentration of industrial slurries, chemical waste, mud, and clay.
- Environmental protection-Sludge thickening in municipal and industrial wastewater treatment plants.
- Metallurgy-Clarification of leach solutions and solid-liquid separation in hydrometallurgy.
Features & Advantages
- Simple and robust structure-Proven design with few moving parts; low failure rate; easy to operate and maintain
- Center drive mechanism-Stable and reliable operation; suitable for small to medium-sized thickening applications
- Rake lifting device-Manual (for <12m diameter) or electric (for >12m diameter) lifting allows the rake to be raised to handle variable underflow loads and prevent "raking over" (overload)
- Overload protection-Equipped with overload indicator or alarm system to signal abnormal conditions and protect the equipment from damage
- Corrosion-resistant options-Can be supplied with special anti-corrosion coatings or materials for processing corrosive slurries
- Wide size range-Available in diameters from 1.8 m to 18+ m, with capacities from a few tons to hundreds of tons per day
- Low operating cost-Simple design results in low power consumption and minimal maintenance requirements
Main Components
- Tank (pool)-Circular steel or concrete vessel holding the slurry
- Center drive mechanism-Motor, reducer, and drive head located at the center of the tank
- Rake arms-Rotating structure with scrapers that move settled solids toward the central discharge
- Rake lifting device-Manual or electric system to raise the rake arms when overloaded
- Feed well (center column)-Central feed inlet that distributes slurry evenly into the tank
- Overflow launder-Peripheral channel that collects clarified overflow liquid
- Underflow discharge-Central outlet for thickened slurry (high-density solids)
- Bridge / walkway-Structure spanning the tank for access and support (steel or concrete)
Important Notes
- Feed solids concentration-Optimal feed solids are typically 10–40% solids by weight; lower feed requires larger tank.
- Flocculant addition-For fine particles (< 45 µm), polymer flocculants are often required for efficient settling and clarity.
- Rake speed-Typically 0.1–0.5 rpm; higher speeds may cause resuspension of fine solids.
- Underflow density-Depends on solids characteristics; target typically 40–70% solids.
- Tank depth-Standard depth 2.5–4.5 m; deeper tanks allow higher compaction but increase cost.
- Climate considerations-Outdoor units may require heating or covers in freezing climates.
| Model |
Tank(m) D |
Tank(m) H |
Desilting Area(m²) |
Rake Speed(r/min) |
Capacity(t/d) |
Drive MotorModel |
(kW) Power |
Size(LxWxH)(mm) |
Weight(kg) |
| NZ-1.8 |
1.8 |
1.8 |
2.55 |
0.5 |
1.3~5.6 |
Y90L-6 |
1.1 |
2000×1960×2900 |
1490 |
| NZ-2.3 |
2.3 |
1.6 |
4.1 |
0.4 |
5~10.8 |
Y90L-6 |
1.1 |
2300×2300×2360 |
2100 |
| NZ-3.6 |
3.6 |
1.8 |
10.2 |
0.4 |
5~24 |
Y90L-6 |
1.1 |
3917×3787×3194 |
2875 |
| NZ-6 |
6 |
3 |
28 |
0.3 |
14~62 |
Y100L-4 |
3 |
6170×5170×5153 |
8575 |
| NZ-9 |
9 |
3 |
63.5 |
0.26 |
32~150 |
Y132S-6 |
3 |
10000×10000×5337 |
5370 |
| NZ-12 |
12 |
3.5 |
113 |
0.19 |
≤250 |
Y132S-6 |
3 |
15500×12000×6625 |
8880 |
| NZ-15 |
15 |
3.6 |
176 |
0.113 |
≤390 |
Y132M-6 |
5.5 |
17240×16000×7500 |
10557 |
| NZ-18 |
18 |
3.6 |
250 |
0.1 |
≤552 |
Y132M-6 |
5.5 |
19700×18860×7050 |
12338 |
| NZ-24 |
24 |
4.4 |
452 |
0.1 |
200~1440 |
Y160L-8 |
7.5 |
25600×25000×8500 |
24500 |
