Use dry solids
Convert the plant requirement to dry mass per hour at normal, design and peak conditions.
From dry-solids duty to filtration area
How to Size a Mining Vacuum Disc Filter
Size a mining vacuum disc filter from dry-solids throughput, tested filtration rate, operating hours, availability, cake target and project design margin.
Dry-solids throughputPrimary duty
Dry-solids fluxTest input
Operating availabilityTime basis
Vacuum + auxiliariesSystem check
Calculation basisThroughput Flux Availability
Size from Mass Duty and Tested Flux
A preliminary area estimate divides required dry-solids throughput by a representative dry-solids filtration rate, then accounts for operating availability, expected variation and agreed design margin. The calculation is only as reliable as its test and duty inputs.
Use representative test results
Apply a dry-solids filtration rate measured at relevant feed, vacuum, cake and cycle conditions.
Allow for real operating time
Account for cleaning, maintenance, feed interruptions and the project’s redundancy philosophy.
Sizing workflow1 2 3 4 5
Keep Every Assumption Traceable
Do not hide key variables inside one headline model selection.
Set mass duty
Confirm dry tonnes per hour, operating hours and peak or campaign requirements.
Select test case
Choose the representative or limiting flux and state its feed and cycle conditions.
Estimate area
Calculate the theoretical filtration area needed for the defined dry-solids duty.
Apply design basis
Add justified allowance for variability, availability and scale-up—not an unexplained blanket factor.
Select system
Choose a standard area and verify vacuum, filtrate, drive, discharge and utility requirements.
Required inputs
Data Needed Before Model Selection
Missing values should remain visible and trigger testing or clarification.
Dry-solids rateNormal, design and peak tonnes per hour.
Operating scheduleHours per day, days per year and planned availability.
Tested fluxDry mass per square metre per hour with test conditions.
Cake targetMoisture, thickness, release and downstream handling.
Feed rangeSolids, PSD, mineralogy, chemistry, temperature and variation.
Site effectsElevation, utilities, layout, climate and auxiliary scope.
Auxiliary energy context: U.S. Department of Energy pump-system resources.
Continue the selection path
Complete the Selection Basis
Use the tested and calculated duty to compare products and request a proposal.
Practical answers
Frequently Asked Questions
Use these answers to prepare a useful discussion with BOYUN. Final equipment selection still depends on project data.
Why is representative slurry data required?
Mineral names do not define filterability. Particle-size distribution, mineralogy, clay, reagent chemistry, feed solids and temperature can change cake formation, permeability and release. Use the filterability test process when performance is commercially important.
What information should be sent for a preliminary review?
Provide duty, mineral, dry throughput, feed solids, particle size or P80, target moisture, operating hours, elevation and available utilities through the disc filter quote page.
Does BOYUN guarantee cake moisture from a mineral name?
No. A responsible target must be tied to representative feed data, test conditions and an agreed equipment and operating basis.
Define the Next Engineering Step
Share the slurry, dry throughput, feed solids, particle size and target cake moisture. BOYUN will identify missing data and recommend testing, sizing or a suitable filter configuration.