Managing director of iBulk Solutions, Tony Webber, explains screening efficiency. Technically, screening efficiency is described as the comparison of the undersize material carried over the screening media and discharged with the oversize product in contrast to the input amount of undersize that was initially fed into the screen. This result is expressed as a percentage and given the term screening efficiency.
“The key to lifting the veil that shrouds the question of screening efficiency is to correctly identify the application requirements,” said Tony. “We help our clients with this task right from the first instance and then ensure that the specifications are supported with correct and clear documentation so there is no doubt regarding the exact level of performance a vibrating screen needs to achieve. Simply put, to increase screening efficiency you want to reduce the amount of undersized material that gets thrown away with the oversize material that you are trying to extract it from, the more undersize material that gets thrown away the less effective the screen is,” explained Tony.
Tony Webber outlines the basic documentation needed and questions asked if developing a set of specifications for the design of a screening machine:
- What is the cut size that needs to be removed?
- What is its continuous temperature?
- If moist, what percentage is moisture?
- What is the products bulk density?
- What is the product that needs to be screened?
- Is the product dry and free flowing, or is it moist?
- Is the product abrasive?
- What is the feed rate to the screener?
“Sometimes it’s hard to convey just how important it is to ensure users of vibrating screens have documented their requirements accurately. It never ceases to amaze me that professional engineering consultants offer screening specifications that are ambiguous and unachievable,” remarked Tony. “This is where our team of highly experienced engineers can assist to ensure our client’s screening efficiency requirements are not only met, but often exceeded.”