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Limestone is a key ingredient in many of our everyday products; however, an inability to source high-quality limestone that meets the manufacturer’s requirements can cause unforeseen supply problems. Using electrostatic separation technology, these problems can be avoided and distribution can continue. ST Equipment & Technology (STET) is at the forefront of mineral processing equipment. Our electrostatic separation technology allows for a high-quality limestone beneficiation process and end result.
Limestone is one of the main materials used to create our everyday products. This includes cement & concrete (which is used in many construction projects), plastic, glass, and paint; and is used in water processing plants to provide us with fresh water. The many uses of this, make it a highly sought-after mineral.
While limestone is a crucial component of many products and services, it has to meet a certain grade quality in order to be used in the creation of these products. When mining, limestone is taken from underground quarries and loaded into trucks to be transported to a processing plant. These deposits are then processed to increase the content (increasing the grade of limestone) while reducing the gangue (unusable substances) in ore minerals. This process is known as limestone beneficiation.
The main purpose of mineral processing equipment is to separate usable minerals from non-usable minerals. In the case of limestone, a certain grade and chemical composition have to be achieved in order for the mineral to be useful. This grade and chemical composition is achieved by separating the limestone from other minerals. There are a few different ways this is achieved—through wet mineral processing and dry mineral processing.
Electrostatic Separation is a type of dry mineral processing that is more environmentally friendly and takes up less energy. Dry mineral processing may also provide a higher purity mineral product than wet mineral processing. It eliminate the need to perform drying after beneficiation if a dry product is preferred by the market.
There are a variety of different types of dry mineral processing equipment. The best solution for beneficiation is electrostatic separation. With this separation technology equipment, high-grade limestone can be generated even when lower-grade varieties are the only ones that are available.
Electrostatic separation uses the difference in electrical charges that are naturally generated, via tribocharging, when limestone and gangue minerals contact each other. Just like with magnets two positive charges and two negative charges repel each other. In contrast, a positive and a negative charge will join together. The limestone and gangue minerals, charged opposite to each other after tribocharging, move towards the oppositely charged electrode and are conveyed out of the STET separator on a continuous basis. The STET separation equipment generates two streams of products, a limestone-rich mineral stream and gangue-rich tailings or co-product stream.
In areas where limestone is in short supply, or where only lower-grade limestone is available, this mineral separation equipment is more cost-effective and more environmentally friendly. There is no water consumption (which is used in the wet mineral processing technique), which allows for less energy consumption and less cost for water treatment and disposal. Similarly, this separation technology equipment has a cheaper initial investment cost, and permitting is easier because there is less of an environmental impact.
ST Equipment & Technology (STET) develops and provides mineral processing in Needham, MA. Our Triboelectrostatic separators use an electrostatic separation process developed by an MIT scientist. This separation technology equipment is more environmentally friendly and more cost effective than our competitors.
Outside of our mineral processing in Needham, MA, where we are headquartered, we have developed lasting relationships with mineral processing companies around the world. We are dedicated to helping our customers and our team of experts is ready to solve any challenge you may face. Want to learn more? Contact us today!
