Hoesch Fast Opening Filter Press Redesigned

Larox has created the platform for large scale pressure filtration in mining
applications in response to the increased need for tailings and fine iron ore
filtration. The latest development, Hoesch Fast Opening Filter Press, is one of
the largest membrane filter presses on the market offering various improvements
in customers' processes through increased volume, savings in energy and
maintenance costs. 

Customer satisfaction and customer benefits are the starting point for R&D at
Larox. The most recent product development, Hoesch Fast Opening Filter Press,
FFP 2512, is the result of a comprehensive redesign of the traditional Hoesch
Filter Presses. 

The consistent and continuous research and development work on FFP has paid
off, as the new FFP is simple, robust and designed for the severe conditions of
a mine-site environment. It is the most modern Horizontal Filter Press on the
market today, offering improved quality, with lower cost and a short delivery
time. 

According to Mr. Bernd Böhnke, Larox Product Manager of Fast Opening Filter
Press (FFP), the heart of the filter is the plate pack which includes several
new features. The plates are fully made of PP carrying an exchangeable
diaphragm and replaceable components that simplify maintenance and extend
component lifetimes. 

What is remarkable in the FFP, are the huge filtrate and drying air outlet
ports which are designed to keep air velocities extraordinary low during
blowing to avoid damage due to abrasion. The outlet ports are attached to the
filter plates in a way that they can be exchanged as spare parts should
critical process conditions cause wear tear. 

All sealings of the FFP are designed as flexible lip seals, which do not
require high surface pressure. The active sealing system therefore ensures that
the plates are exposed to much lower forces than in any other filter press. 

Modelled on the Larox tower press closing system the fast opening mechanism is
designed to work without the need of hydraulic synchronisation systems, which
often cause problems in other filter types. Synchronisation is ensured by the
mechanical design of the skeleton itself which also allows very high opening
and closing velocities and shortens the cycle times. 

By incorporating the fast opening mechanisms derived from the Larox tower press
with innovative flow and pressure design improvements, the Hoesch FFP has the
shortest cycle times and is specially designed for low air velocities during
dry blowing. 

The consistent performance of this horizontal filter press will provide the
required cake moisture needed for dry stacking of the tailings. The operation
of the filter is steady, even and fully automatic. 

For more information, please contact your usual Larox contact. Larox sales
network contact information is available on www.larox.com. 



Larox develops, designs and manufactures industrial filters and is a         
leading technology company in its field. Larox is a full service solution       
provider in filtration for separating solids from liquids. It supplies          
comprehensive aftermarket services throughout the lifespan of the Larox         
solution. Companies world-wide in mining and metallurgy, chemical processing    
and related industries benefit from the Larox technologies. Larox operates      
in over 40 countries and has over 590 employees. Larox Group is headquartered   
in Lappeenranta, Finland where the Group also has production facilities. Net    
sales in 2008 totaled 208.0 million euros, of which more than 93 % were         
generated by exports and the company's foreign operations.