Abstract
Performance of two product screens (137Sc-16/17) constantly flooding at UG2 plant were assessed. Root causes for the flooding were investigated as well as a benchmarking with the performance of non-flooding screens performance. Samples for the screens 137Sc-16/17 feed and oversize were collected for three days, and prepared according to plant standards for sample preparations in order to obtain the particle size distribution (PSD). The first PSD results of the feed were given to Barcandyle which is mechanical engineering experts for screen sizing and their findings were used in this project for optimization purposes. The PSDs of the screens undersize, oversize and feed were used to draw cumulative percent passing and these graphs were used with the effective formula in order to determine screen performances. It was observed that 137SC-17 was more efficient than 137SC-16 and also that the major cause of flooding was due to the woodchips blinding the screen panels. From these findings the aperture size of 137SC-16 was changed from 0.63mm to 0.8mm. The screens still flood during spikes time due insufficient picking points for wood at UG2 plant.