Optimisation of a phosphate horizontal belt filter plant

Abstract

The project covers the optimization and activities related to the improvement in process quality for the horizontal belt filter plants at Foskor Phalaborwa. Foskor Phalaborwa is a phosphate producing mining operation located on the eastern edge of Limpopo South Africa in a town called Phalaborwa. The need for a more in depth investigation and problem analysis focused on the filtration department at Foskor Phalaborwa was requested. The investigation and problem analysis of the problem areas at the filtration department serve as the back bone for the project conducted by the author. The project aims to identify the main causes for the filtration plant not operating within desired specifications for moisture content percentage of the discharged phosphate product. The identification of a number of issues that contribute to the failure of the filtration section in meeting their 8.5% moisture content goal for discharged product were identified. The most evident of the identified issues were that of plant operation and maintenance.