A sand and gravel wash plant is designed to clean and sort materials like sand and gravel for various construction and industrial applications. Here’s a basic overview of how it typically works:
Feeding: Raw material (sand and gravel) is fed into the wash plant via a conveyor belt or hopper. This material can come from mining operations, dredging, or pits.
Screening: The material first goes through a screening process where oversized rocks and debris are removed. This is typically achieved using vibrating screens that separate materials based on size.
Washing: The screened material then moves to the washing stage. High-pressure water jets or rotating scrubbers remove clay, silt, and other contaminants. The washing process ensures that the sand and gravel are clean.
Classifying: The cleaned material is then classified by size. Cyclones, screw classifiers, or hydrosizers separate the sand and gravel into different grades or sizes, which can be tailored to specific requirements.
Settling and De-watering: Fines and water from the washing process are separated. Fine particles are settled in settling tanks or ponds, and the water can be recirculated through the system. De-watering screens or filters are used to extract extra water from the final product, creating a drier end material.
Stockpiling: The final step involves stockpiling the cleaned and sorted materials. Conveyors or stacking systems are often used to create separate piles based on the size and type of material.
In summary, a sand and gravel wash plant is a systematized operation that uses a combination of screening, washing, classifying, and stockpiling to produce clean, sorted materials ready for use in construction and other applications.
