The Aspir WFH1730, the newest addition to the company's line of dewatering solutions, has been designed and sized to process 100t/h of coal fines. Specifically, it uses a scroll/basket design along with a maintenance-friendly wet end created for varying feed densities, combined with high-quality wear components.

"Central to the Aspir range are the coarse and fine coal centrifuges that are expertly engineered to deliver outstanding performance and availability in the most arduous coal dewatering applications," Weir noted.

"The WFH 1730 jumbo centrifuge is the world's first high capacity horizontal fine coal dewatering centrifuge designed around proven principles, such as G-force and basket angle… [to ensure] maximum throughput with highest dewatering efficiency at minimal operating costs."

In other words, the Aspir WFH1730's design is supposed to work smarter and longer to optimise coal processing capability.

Looking inside the centrifuge, there is a cyclone inlet to help with separating solids and water prior to the fine product being introduced to the basket; the inlet assists in bringing the product up to basket speed and reduces coal breakage - which can result in increased fines and moisture content.

The horizontal orientation of the new release allows for fewer gears and shafts within the centrifuge, and also allows for in-situ replacement of the modular drive assembly. It also features ceramic-lined working faces and a hinged effluent chamber to offer ample clearance of parts and to permit unrestricted access to wet end components.

"The design of the inlet/effluent arrangement is such that when the centrifuge is presented with a dilute feed, the jumbo simply centrifuges the effluent directly out of the bottom of the machine eliminating any potential of effluent splashing over into the product chamber. The product chamber is further protected by a labyrinth seal between the effluent and product chamber," product manager Paul Jerks said.

"The horizontal basket design, unlike a vertical basket centrifuge, uses centrifugal force and gravity to its advantage in that effluent naturally wants to pass through the basket aperture, thereby enhancing the centrifuge's dewatering effect."