YPT Washing Drums

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Clean Ore In — Efficient Processing Out

YPT Washing Drums

A washing drum — also called a rotary scrubber, ore scrubber, or log washer depending on configuration — is a robust, rotating cylindrical vessel used for the mechanical cleaning and disintegration of ore feed prior to screening, classification, or downstream processing.

It is designed to remove clay, silt, coatings, and adhering fines from ore fragments, particularly in sticky or high-clay deposits.

The process ensures that the valuable mineral-bearing rock is liberated from gangue coatings and that downstream crushing, screening, or gravity separation operates efficiently.

The washing drum’s purpose is mechanical attrition — it uses tumbling, impact, and sometimes high-pressure water spray to break up soft minerals and wash away fines.

The cleaned ore is then screened and sent to further stages (crushing, dense-media separation, or leaching), while the removed slimes are routed to tailings or clarification.

Areas of Application

Washing drums are widely used across placer, alluvial, and soft-rock deposits, as well as in clayey or lateritic ores that exhibit poor handling properties. Typical applications include:

  • Gold and diamond

    alluvial washing and pre-concentration circuits (before trommel or DMS feed).

  • Bauxite, manganese, and iron ores

    containing clayey gangue or lateritic coatings.

  • Copper and nickel laterites

    requiring de-sliming prior to beneficiation.

  • Phosphate, potash, and lithium ores

    where clay content reduces separation efficiency.

  • Aggregate and construction materials

    cleaning to remove clay lumps and soft coatings.
In precious-metal and base-metal heap-leach operations, washing drums may precede agglomeration drums to ensure fines and clays are adequately conditioned before binder addition.

Principle of Operation

The working principle of a washing drum combines mechanical tumbling, impact, and water flow.

  • Feed introduction:

    The ore, usually 0–200 mm depending on crusher output, enters the upper end of a rotating cylindrical shell.

  • Attrition and disintegration:

    As the drum rotates (typically 10–20 rpm), lifters, internal blades, or spiral flights lift and cascade the ore mass, creating friction and collisions between particles.

  • Washing action:

    Water jets or internal spray bars introduce process water, which suspends and carries away slimes and clay particles.

  • Discharge and separation:

    The cleaned, coarse fraction is discharged through the outlet, while the slurry or muddy water exits through a weir or perforated section for de-sliming and sedimentation.
The residence time (typically 3–8 minutes) is controlled by the drum’s length-to-diameter ratio (L/D ≈ 2–3), rotational speed, inclination (1–5°), and water flow rate. The process removes coatings and soft minerals while minimizing particle degradation.

Robust Scrubbing for Tough Ores.

YPT Apron Feeder Highlights

Break, Wash, and Deliver Clean Feed

Design Criteria

Design of washing drums depends on feed size, clay content, required cleanliness, and downstream process.
Key parameters include:

Feed size:

0 – 200 mm typical; up to 250 mm for heavy-duty units

Drum diameter:

1.2 – 3.6 m

Length (L/D ratio):

2 – 3 (typical length 4–9 m)

Inclination angle:

1° – 5°

Rotation speed:

8 – 20 rpm

Residence time:

3 – 8 minutes

Water consumption:

0.5 – 2 m³ per tonne feed (depending on clay content)

Drive type:

Tyre-drive or trunnion with gear ring

Construction materials:

Heavy steel shell with replaceable abrasion-resistant liners (rubber or Mn steel)
Feed chute design is critical to avoid blockages. Discharge can be fitted with a trommel screen or spiral classifier to separate the cleaned product from the slimes.

Technical Specifications

Drum Diameter:

1.2 – 3.6 mLarger units for higher throughput

Drum Length:

4 – 9 mDetermines residence time

Capacity:

50 – 600 t/hScales with ore hardness and clay content

Power Requirement:

30 – 250 kWDepends on load and drum size

Inclination:

1 – 5°Gravity assists ore movement

Rotation Speed:

8 – 20 rpmControlled by VFD

Water Flow:

50 – 400 m³/hMust match clay content

Liners:

Rubber, AR steel, or manganese steelWear-resistant, replaceable

Discharge:

Trommel or overflow weirFor product/slurry separation

Important Considerations:

  • Incomplete washing :

    feed rate too high or residence time too short.

  • Excessive fines in discharge :

    over-scrubbing; reduce speed or inclination.

  • Blockages:

    check feed consistency and water jets.

  • High wear rate :

    verify liner material and ore abrasiveness.

  • Poor water recovery :

    optimise recirculation or install clarifier/thickener.