Advantages

Efficiency of separation are depends on:

Low capital cost
relative density

Low operational cost

particle size

Minimal maintenance
shape

Low energy consumptions

liberation

Gravity separaton Compact and less floor space

Potential disadvantages Coalescing
Disadvantages
Production of valuable concentrates can be a
security risk
when coalescers used for separating fluids with very
high viscosity and a high solids loading, the highly
viscous fluids will plug the coalescer media, reducing
Due to the nature of the concentrates can be difficult its efficiency.
to sample and account for

Solids at high concentration can be problematic.

Typical cost of running a gravity circuit,
concentrators and intensive leach estimated at US$
1 /oz recovered Due to the fine pore structure of the coalescer
medium, the solid particles block the pore thereby
reducing the coalescing efficiency.

PHYSICAL TREATMENT

Advantages & Disadvantages

Low Capex

High inlet concentration can be acceptable

It is generally same as the gravity separator
Induced Gas Flotation
Advantages Relatively insensitive to changes in oil droplet size

Ability to reject composite particles more Require steady flow for effective operation
efficiently than flotation

Normally requires de-oiling chemical to be dosed

High specific gravity component such as pyrite upstream to optimize performance - High OPEX
are rejected very efficiently Enhanced gravity
separation Gas flotation
Injected fluids automatically withdrawn
from the volume of gas separated from
Advantages & Disadvantages
the mixture in the vessel so that the
separator becomes independent of
external supply Proven technology

Low maintenance cost Moving parts and associated maintenance

requirements
Dissolved Gas Flotation

De-oiling chemicals normally dosed upstream to

optimize performance

Gas solubility decreases with increasing temperature

which can make the technology less effective at
higher operating temperatures