Flowsheet assessment and capacity evaluation of an iron ore processing plant by simulation

Abstract

An iron ore processing plant in Sivas (Turkey) was investigated and simulated depending on real and experimental data in this study. The AggFlow™ simulation packaged program was used and the experimental results conducted in mineral processing laboratories of Dokuz Eylül University were applied to the simulation when necessary. The results gathered by AggFlow were crosschecked with experimental and real data. The former plant design observations, experimental results and simulation software were combined to present an optimum plant design by calculating the final concentrate outputs. Hence, the simulation not only helped in machinery and equipment selection, but also put forth some economic aspects before the assembly of the plant. The importance of simulation was revealed since the company owners would be aware of the amount of capital investment, production costs, and the machinery to be ordered and most importantly, the amount of concentrate to be produced with different alternatives and applications.