About this project…

In November 2007, Vale Inco engaged Wescan along with design build partners, CH2M Hill to design and install new high pressure membrane filters in Thompson Manitoba Refinery to filter the sulfur anode slimes. The goal of the project was to reduce SO2 emissions from the mine site.

The project was successfully commissioned in January 2010 and is currently pressing SAS and meeting the desin intent. The design completed by CH2M Hill consists of:

• Two FLSmidth high pressure filters
• Two 150 hp slurry feed pumps
• One wash water tank and duplex pumps
• One core blow down tank
• Two hydraulic units
• A plant air equalization sytem
• A dry fire suppression system in the loadout bay
• Filtrate pumping
• Relocation of the ball mill
• Addition of a ball mill slurry pump out tank
• Automatic flushing system
• Local control with alarms to the Refinery DCS
• Steel structure upgrades to support the high filter loading
• Loadout bay heating

The final result exceeded the original expectations of the project and was a resounding success.

• Client: Vale, Manitoba Operations
• Value: $9,600,000
• General Contractor: Wescan Electrical Mechanical Services
• Consultant: CH2M Hill
• Completion Date: June, 2010