METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DRAINAGE OF A WET GRANULAR MATERIAL

摘要

The drainage feed is for wet granular phosphate after mining and washing. The material is piled so that the water can percolate downwards, that appearing at the base being extracted to prevent its level rising. The drained material is extracted from an intermediate portion of the pile high enough to prevent capillary action causing the free water to rise to this level. Hot gas is also forced through the unsaturated portions of the pile, to heat the material and aid percolation of the water by reducing its viscosity and surface tension.