Metso launches next generation technology

(Image source: Metso) Fluid bed roasting is a key pyrometallurgical technology, which allows the processing of a vast range of ores and concentrates. The Next Generation Fluid Bed Roaster is part of the Metso Plus offering.
(Image source: Metso) Fluid bed roasting is a key pyrometallurgical technology, which allows the processing of a vast range of ores and concentrates. The Next Generation Fluid Bed Roaster is part of the Metso Plus offering.

Metso is launching the Next Generation Fluid Bed Roaster, encompassing all the features developed and implemented in recent roaster projects executed globally.

The Next Generation Fluid Bed Roaster is a reactor with improved individual components and digital tools to enable more efficient and stable roasting plant performance.

Metso fluid bed technology director Jörg Hammerschmidt says the company is excited to launch the product.

“It is a logical progression in this digital age, combining advanced roaster equipment and enhancements as well as a suite of digital solutions for greater operational efficiency,” he said.

“The upgraded roaster is designed to adapt to operational changes, improving overall process control while ensuring safety, availability and production KPIs.”

The Next Generation Fluid Bed Roaster increases plant safety, provides enhanced production stability in operation and reduces operating costs.

Material that until recently was separated from roasting feeds can now be blended with the roaster feed after specific pre-treatment. This is particularly beneficial for extremely fine concentrates, by-products and residues, as well as for material with a high content of low-melting impurities.

The improved design and technical logic increase plant availability in the roasting area and hence availability of downstream plant sections, particularly the gas cleaning and sulfuric acid plant. This is all achievable with high feed rates, efficient heat recovery and other process performance improvements.

Metso’s roasting solutions are based on decades of experience in developing processing technologies for concentrates and ores.

(Image source: Metso) To support steady operational efficiency, Metso’s in-house engineering team offers accurate monitoring and optimisation services.
(Image source: Metso) To support steady operational efficiency, Metso’s in-house engineering team offers accurate monitoring and optimisation services.

OKTOP® BIOX® Reactor

Metso has also launched its OKTOP® BIOX® Reactor for the pre-treatment of refractory gold concentrate and base metal leaching.

Part of the Metso Plus offering, it enables enhancing oxygen mass transfer to improve energy efficiency and process performance during the leaching process.

Metso gold senior process engineer Waldemar Olivier says the OKTOP® BIOX® Reactor provides increased operational efficiency with the most energy-efficient agitator design available for the BIOX process.

“The reactor features a dual-pumping agitator that maximises surface aeration, increasing oxygen mass transfer and enhances foam entrainment back into the slurry using a novel surface aeration ring,” he said.

“Thanks to its innovative design, it delivers more than 20% energy savings on agitation power, lowering operational costs.”

Metso provides comprehensive support from design to service for OKTOP® BIOX® Reactor deliveries. This includes full process design, mechanical guarantees and test work capabilities.

With over 1,200 installations globally, the modular OKTOP® Reactor is trusted by industries worldwide and has built an excellent reputation for being safe and reliable and ensuring consistent performance with excellent product quality.

Metso BIOX® technology boasts 14 installations that have resulted in combined gold production of more than 36moz to date. The OKTOP® BIOX® Reactor features a novel agitator specifically designed for this application.

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