The Knelson concentrator. metamorphosis from crude beginning to sophisticated world wide acceptance

Abstract

Byron Knelson is the inventor of the centrifugal concentrator that bears his name. His initial involvement in mining was through an investment in a Yukon placer mining project and a seven day visit to the site. This brief exposure inspired a search for a better and more scientific recovery system than the sluice box and longtom that dominated the industry in 1970. His story depicts his search and the development of the device that has virtually revolutionized gravity recovery. The logic behind the Knelson design is compared to the single wall centrifugal concentrators of earlier and latter years that have had singularly unimpressive acceptance by the industry. This is due to their inability to sustain concentration of values for more than a few minutes before serious losses occur. The unsolicited case studies of Knelson installations provided by a number of hardrock and base metal operators are mentioned. These case studies lend positive proof to the economic advantages of installing Knelson concetrators in gravity circuits. Over 750 Knelson equipment installations have been made in over 50 countries. Twelve different models of concentrators are presently fabricated in the Knelson operated factory. These models include a 3“ laboratory concentrator and 7.5” exploration and/or reconcentrator model for upgrading the concetrate produced by 12”, 20” and 30” production models which are capable of sustaining up to 40 TPH solids. Options include fully remote computerized operation, stainless steel wetted surfaces and centre line concentrations discharge. Continuously operating concentrators are being developed for base metal recovery and the benefication of coal. Test installations are presently being operated at a Canadian iron ore mine and a coal processing plant in Australia. A third installation will take place shortly at the Canadian Coal Research facility at Devon, Alberta.