Sponsored CIM Video: Diemme adds AI to mine filtration

Key Concepts

• Solid-Liquid Separation: The core industrial process of separating solids from liquids, critical in mining.
• Filter Press: Industrial equipment used for dewatering tailings and processing mineral concentrates.
• Domino: The world’s largest filter press (5m x 5m plates).
• OptiCare: An AI-driven system for simultaneous high-pressure cloth washing and diagnostic scanning.
• AIDA: Diema Filtration’s remote monitoring and data analysis ecosystem.
• X-change: An automated, intelligent crane system for the unattended replacement of filter cloths.
• Predictive Maintenance: Using data to identify potential failures before they occur.

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1. Overview of Diema Filtration

Diema Filtration, headquartered in Lugo, Italy, is a specialist in solid-liquid separation, primarily serving the mining industry. Their equipment is essential for two main mining applications: processing mineral concentrates and dewatering tailings. The company emphasizes a client-centric approach, focusing on listening to operational challenges to develop high-capacity, efficient systems.

2. Major Innovations

• Domino Filter Press: Launched five years ago, this is the largest filter press globally. It features 5m x 5m plates and is capable of processing approximately 12,000 tonnes of dry solids per day.
• Dedicated Filter Cloth Division: Recognizing that filter cloths are a high-maintenance consumable, Diema established a specialized business unit. This division combines expertise in fabric materials with process equipment knowledge to ensure optimal performance and longevity of the consumables.

3. The OptiCare and AIDA Ecosystem

Diema has introduced a technological framework to modernize cloth maintenance:

• OptiCare System: This system integrates high-pressure cloth washing with an AI-powered scanning mechanism. As the cloths are cleaned, the system captures full images and analyzes them using AI algorithms to detect existing or impending failures.
• AIDA (Remote Monitoring): Data collected by OptiCare is processed through the AIDA system. This allows for remote monitoring and enables predictive maintenance, where operators are alerted to issues before they cause downtime.
• Real-World Application: A pilot installation of this technology is currently underway at a mine in Idaho to validate performance metrics and operational efficiency.

4. Automation and Safety: The X-change System

The X-change system represents a significant advancement in workplace safety and automation:

• Functionality: Once the AIDA system identifies a worn or damaged cloth, the X-change system—an intelligent, automated crane—is deployed.
• Process: The crane moves to the specific location of the identified cloth, removes the worn unit, and installs a new one without human intervention.
• Benefits: By making the process "unattended," Diema significantly reduces the safety risks associated with manual maintenance on large-scale industrial equipment. This is particularly beneficial for sites with multiple filter installations.

5. Strategic Objectives and Philosophy

Andrea Pezzi, Director of Marketing and Communication, highlights that the primary goal of these innovations is to "make difficult things simple." The company’s strategy focuses on:

• Operational Efficiency: Reducing the complexity of managing large-scale filtration systems.
• Cost Reduction: Lowering operational costs through predictive maintenance and optimized cloth life.
• Risk Mitigation: Minimizing human exposure to hazardous maintenance tasks through automation.

Conclusion

Diema Filtration is shifting the paradigm of industrial filtration from reactive maintenance to an automated, data-driven model. By integrating AI (OptiCare), remote analytics (AIDA), and robotics (X-change), the company is successfully addressing the "consumable" nature of filter cloths, thereby increasing the safety, reliability, and throughput of mining operations globally. As Pezzi noted, the ultimate value proposition is the ability to simplify complex industrial processes, making them more manageable and cost-effective for operators.