CSIRO, Outotec pact to engineer SwirlFlow agitation technology for the bauxite and alumina sector

The Finnish industrial machinery company focusing on providing technology and services for mining, Metso Outotec and the national science agency of Australia, CSIRO, have joined hands to sign a treaty delivering SwirlFlow agitation technology for the bauxite and alumina sector beyond the Chinese territory.

Both companies with elevated levels of proficiency in their respective genres will arm the partnership to introduce the best offers for the market concerning the usage of the SwirlFlow technology in the refinery precipitation tanks, as was narrated by Metso Outotec.

Dr. Alessio Scarsella, the Director of Light Metals at Metso Outotec, exclaimed: “Sustainability is a top priority for Metso Outotec.”

“In addition to our investments to develop technology for sustainable alumina processing, we are pleased to be able to announce our cooperation with CSIRO. This will allow us to meet our customers’ growing demand such as lower capital installation, reduced spare parts costs, and an increase in precipitation tank availability.”

CSIRO is confident about using the Swirlflow technology because it enhances the process of amalgamation by intermixing liquids and suspended solids to build a vortex similar to a tornado inside the mixing tank. The mechanism utilises a motor, a definite radial impeller designed for the same purpose, a low shaft near the top of the tank and a durable gearbox. Because of all these installations, the system is self-sufficient and demands less maintenance or repetitive shutdowns. In fact, due to a more consistent wall velocity, the rate of scale formation also narrows down.

Andrew Jenkin, CSIRO's Research Program Director for Processing said, “CSIRO’s leading technology of SwirlFlow agitation has been pioneered at a Tier One refinery precipitation tanks, leading to significantly reduced maintenance costs and improved operational time between descaling events.”