When U.S. Steel – Minntac installed hydro cyclones to its Step III concentrator lines prior to flotation, it experienced a decrease in flotation feed mass flowrate by approximately 50% and a subsequent increase in the flotation plant recovery. Encouraged by this success, Minntac sought to evaluate the feasibility of installing hydro cyclones on its Step I and II concentrator sections to improve the flotation plant iron recovery as well.
In 2017, Barr conducted a feasibility study, and when the results were favorable, we went on to provide preliminary engineering, detailed engineering, procurement support, and onsite construction support for one section in Step I, which was completed in mid-2019. Barr also completed an engineering design package for the remaining four sections in Steps I and II in late 2020.
The equipment layouts proved to be a challenge on this project as several gravity launders and pipes required a specific slope to operate properly but space and elevation were limited to make everything fit together.