Modelagem e simulação da hidrociclonagem da usina do projeto manganês do Azul

Abstract

The Manganês do Azul manganese mine is located 63 km from Parauapebas town. It is currently the largest manganese operation mine in Brazil, and it is explored by Vale Manganês SA company. In this project contain three mines, wastes deposits, two dams, workshops, offices, storage yards and mineral processing plant. This plant contain crushing processing, washing, screening and classification, obtain three products: the granulado (35-75 mm), the médio granulado (9-35 mm) and the sinterfeed (0,15 a 9 mm). The hydrocyclones have key role in the sinterfeed production, because transform in product the materials that would be directed to the dam. So, this unit operation adds value to the ore and increases the lifespan of the dam. For this equipment to work properly it's necessary that optimization of operating variables and design. For it the modeling and simulation is important method, it’s a fast and cheap form. Plitt and Lynch and Rao models are used a lot today. For this work were collected feed hydrocyclones samples in the mineral processing plant. The samples was taken to UFPA, in Marabá, for the tests. From the feed, overflow and underflow analysis the Plitt model was calibrated. By the model, for obtain smaller particles that 0,15 mm in the hydrocyclone overflow is needed to increase the cylindrical section and decrease the feed solids percent.