Rubber belt filtration
Continuously moving forward
Solid-Liquid separation can be a very important
processing step determining the competitiveness of
an industrial mineral producer as well as effecting
product quality, yield and thermal drying requirements.
Producers of high tonnage, coarse, fast filtering minerals
and aggregates, such as limestone, phosphates,
gypsum and potash, etc. traditionally rely upon vacuum
filtration to fulfill their solid-liquid separation needs.
The industry workhorse has been the horizontal rubber
belt vacuum filter capable of efficiently and effectively
dewatering and washing high tonnages of these
particular products.
Side Vacuum design allows
easy access and improved
cleanliness
Reduced downtime and
improved safety in operation
Compact delivery
Improved belt lifetimes
Lower operating costs
Outotec In Actio
Rubber belt vacuum filters have been
available in industrial scale since
the 1930s. Although structures and
materials have changed over the years,
and many suppliers have introduced new
filter designs, the fundamental operating
principle has remained unchanged.
While the world of technology has been
radically transformed over the last two
decades everything stayed as it was
with rubber belt filters, and they are
still one of the most reliable pieces of
equipment in the field of solid liquid
separation. In recent years, Outotec
has combined its knowledge of ridged/
durable mining equipment, innovative
thinking, and its Pannevis horizontal belt
filtration experience reaching back to
the late 1960s to develop a revolution in
continuous rubber belt filtration. The new
Outotec Larox RB-SV (rubber belt side
vacuum) horizontal vacuum belt filter
transforms this old technology to meet
and exceed todays solid-liquid separation
challenges.
The fundamental concept in rubber belt filtration has
been the placement of a vacuum box in the heart of the
equipment, directly underneath the rubber belt and at
the center line of the filter. This location, while effective
for the process turns out to be a major limitation for
cleaning and/or maintenance. During each maintenance
and/or optimization procedure the unit must be stopped
and the operator must go through the depth of the
machine to open the vacuum box, leaving the operator
exposed to the process environment, which can
comprise safety.
With this limitation in mind, a thorough evaluation was
undertaken, including interviews with experienced
users, and the implementation of truly creative thinking
to produce operating and safety modifications that
combat inadequacies in the existing designs. The main
modification repositions the vacuum box from the heart
of the equipment to its side. This relocation enables
inspection without having to stop, or physically enter,
the unit.
For applications where crystallization may occur, like
potash, phosphoric acid and many others, regular
inspection and cleaning of the box is a necessity, so this
straightforward design update becomes a significant
benefit because the operation is simplified while
downtime and maintenance costs are reduced.
In addition to relocation, the vacuum box itself has been
modernized. The new vacuum box has been designed to
eliminate corners and dead spots, helping to minimize
the locations where scaling/crystallization may occur,
adding a major operating benefit. The body of the
redesigned vacuum box is made from pipe-like, rounded
material providing a ridged structure that allows even
the selection of plastic material for the wetted parts in
highly corrosive applications.
The sealing system between the moving rubber belt
and the stationary vacuum box, with proven reliability
under the roughest conditions, has not been altered
in comparison to the conventional center box
rubber belt filters. As a result, the new RB-SV is a true
combination of innovative design and proven technology.
For applications requiring very large filtration areas and
bigger/wider filters, vacuum boxes can be located on
both sides of the filter to ensure the hydraulic capacity
is adequate for efficient filtration whilst maintaining the
easy accessibility and other benefits of the new design.
While planning to redesign the filter structure to adaptations to the (changing) process are possible with
accommodate the vacuum box relocation other minimal effort and cost.
opportunities for improvement became evident, and
have been included in the The RB-SV filters belt
design upgrade.
Installed filters can then support table was also
modernized including
The drive end of the filter be equipped easily with the another proven concept,
houses several critical tried and true Outotec plant however not from
components/functions,
including the frame, belt
automation system designed conventional rubber
filter technology. Instead,
belt

drive unit, tail pulley, from over 30 years filtration the roller bed support
cake discharge table, process automation knowhow. technology from conveyor
cloth scraper, cloth and belt systems found
belt washing stations in
The modular system structure throughout the industry is
a single, compact area. allows adaptation and or implemented for the belt
These individual modules
extension to match the always support table. Industry
are now integrated into the standard roller beds are
frame, creating a ridged changing needs at any time. utilized, benefitting both
drive frame structure which their rigid support of the
includes all functions. In this new integrated structure rubber belt and eliminating the need for consumables
several potential leakage and/or spilling areas are like water, compressed air or customized slide belts. At
avoided, while the optional cake chute now fits perfectly the same time, they minimize friction when advancing
to the frame, minimizing potential for cake spillage. the belt to the absolute minimum.
This design also includes a standard option to arrange
the cloth washing pipe(s) in different positions, so future
This roller bed conveyor technology has proven to
be extremely reliable under high workloads and the
toughest conditions. Existing RB-SV filter installations
utilizing this system have shown that, even when a
significant amount of rollers are deliberately blocked,
the belt still runs perfectly smooth and the filter doesnt
need to be shut down immediately. This allows for roller
exchange/repair to be delayed until a timelier planned
production/maintenance stop.
The final RB-SV advancement impacts the structure
of the units themselves. The modular frame structure
has been engineered in such a way that the filter can
be assembled and the rubber belt can be spliced,
vulcanized and drilled under optimal conditions in
Outotecs own workshop. Once testing is completed, the
major part of the structure can be easily dismantled so
that only a condensed part of the structure is shipped in
one piece. Once delivered to the customers site, limited
effort is required to reassemble the filter. This enables
the unit to be ready for operation quickly, without hefty
transportation and lifting costs.
Installed filters can then be equipped easily with
the tried and true Outotec plant automation system
designed from over 30 years filtration process
automation knowhow. The modular system structure
allows adaptation and or extension to match the always
changing needs at any time.
Larox is now Outotec. As a global leader in filtration
technology Outotec has worked closely with many of
the worlds largest industrial minerals producers to
help optimize their solid-liquid separation needs. With
a broad product portfolio Outotec has proven to be a
viable solid-liquid separation partner to the Industrial
Minerals Industry worldwide.
Outotecs solutions help to utilize raw materials more
efficiently and minimize water an energy consumption
as well as emissions and waste.

Outotec innovates, develops and delivers sustainable technology and service solutions
to minerals, metals, chemical and energy industries. Outotec collaborates lifelong
with its customers in order to optimize the utilization of raw materials and energy
efficiency as well as to minimize the environmental impact and operating costs.

Contact us at

info@outotec.com
www.outotec.com