2025-06-12
Improving filter belt stability and dewatering performance in iron washing without compromising throughput.
A leading iron ore beneficiation facility in Africa was facing persistent failures of its Horizontal Vacuum Belt Filter (HVBF) belts. The incumbent filter fabric rapidly developed mechanical waviness and creasing, which significantly reduced belt life and compromised filtration efficiency. To address these issues, Clear Edge was invited to evaluate the setup and provide a belting solution designed to enhance mechanical stability, extend filter belt life, and optimize overall throughput.
Mechanical instability led to filter belt failure, reduced filtration capacity, and high maintenance frequency.
The plant’s HVBF was experiencing belt deformation shortly after installation. Waviness would form within days, evolving into longitudinal creases that compromised filtration performance and caused frequent belt changes. The incumbent filter fabric was also underperforming in terms of permeability, leading to reduced flow rates and productivity losses.
These issues added operational cost due to downtime and unscheduled maintenance. A new filtration solution was needed to improve fabric longevity while supporting consistent dewatering and process efficiency.
A high-stability Scandiafelt™ E3-0262 filter belt was installed, supported by on-site technical supervision.
Clear Edge’s technical and sales teams conducted a full assessment of the HVBF process before selecting the appropriate belting solution. After reviewing operating parameters and the existing setup, the team recommended our E3-0262 filter belt, a proven product engineered for mechanical resilience and consistent flow.
The new belting solution quickly demonstrated improved form retention, better mechanical stability, and higher throughput, all while maintaining filtrate clarity.
A 50% increase in filter belt life and faster filtration cycle time contributed to lower operational costs.
With the new E3-0262 filter belt in place, the plant saw immediate benefits. The service life increased from 4 to 6 weeks; a 50% gain, reducing the frequency of belt replacements and associated downtime. Filtration throughput improved by approximately 10%, without compromising filtrate clarity or quality. These improvements led to a more stable, productive operation and confirmed Clear Edge as the preferred supplier for future belting upgrades at the site.
