Skip to main content

Superior gets into the Spirit at Hillhead

US-based Superior Industries says its new modular Spirit Sand Plant – shown at this year’s Hillhead exhibition in the UK - boosts performance while lowering wear The Spirit merges the manufacturer’s Helix Cyclone, Dewatering Screen, sump tank and slurry pump into a single plant capable of sand production, fines recovery and dewatering. It has a more geometrically efficient inlet to boost performance and lower wear to internal components. In addition, all wetted surfaces are lined with cast polyurethane f
November 6, 2018 Read time: 3 mins
Spirit Sand Plant from Superior Industries
US-based Superior Industries says its new modular Spirit Sand Plant – shown at this year’s Hillhead exhibition in the UK - boosts performance while lowering wear


The Spirit merges the manufacturer’s Helix Cyclone, Dewatering Screen, sump tank and slurry pump into a single plant capable of sand production, fines recovery and dewatering. It has a more geometrically efficient inlet to boost performance and lower wear to internal components. In addition, all wetted surfaces are lined with cast polyurethane for extended performance and life.

For fines recovery applications, the Helix Cyclone is designed and built by Superior in 305-406mm models. Meanwhile, sand production models are sized 406-762mm. The manufacturer's dewatering screen is capable of removing all but 8% moisture content, meaning the sand produced is immediately sellable. It achieves this due to a deeper bed design and urethane sidewalls, which remove moisture from the material screens at the tops and sides. These high tonnage dewatering screens process material up to 360 MTPH (400 STPH).

For sand production applications, Spirit Sand Plants are manufactured in five models with production up to 300 MTPH (330 STPH) from the screen. Seven ultra-fines recovery models can be fed at rates from 20-161 MTPH (22-177 STPH).

Each plant is designed to fit into standard shipping containers. From its headquarters in Morris, Minnesota, 2979 Superior Industries supplies bulk crushing, screening, washing and conveying systems for industries including construction aggregates, mining, bulk terminals, agriculture, power and biomass. Also shown at 5894 Hillhead was Superior’s Low Water Washer, capable of accepting a dry feed directly within a crushing circuit. These fines are then pressure washed and dewatered for production of sellable manufactured sands.

The process uses 80% less water than the traditional screw and screen combination, said John Bennington, director of wet processing technology at Superior. “That typically means material producers are handling and hauling the material to a separate wash site, which adds cost quickly.”

During operation, an agitator section accepts the feed where it is mixed with water to produce a thick slurry. This slurry is then dumped onto a dewatering screen with a series of spray bars to help clean and wash out the fines. The end result is a saleable manufactured sand with just 8% moisture content.

Superior manufactures models of its new Alliance Low Water Washer for rates up to 272 MTPH (300 STPH). Custom designed machines can produce higher rates if required.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Eurovia meets the 100% RAP “Recyclee” challenge on a French motorway
    October 25, 2018
    Eurovia says that it has successfully paved a 1km stretch of a French motorway using 100% recycled asphalt pavement – a global first for RAP. Eurovia said that the “fully recycled road”, done in conjunction with its parent company VINCI Autoroutes, is part of a major motorway renovation project on the A10 between Pons and Saint-Aubin in southwest France. The road is the result of two years of research and a partnership with asphalt plant equipment maker Marini-Ermont of the Fayat group. Marini-Ermont
  • Sandvik supporting aggregate production in Panama
    February 20, 2014
    Located 40km north of Panama City, Panama Development of Infrastructure (PDI) is assisting the Petaquilla Gold Mine, part of Petaquilla Minerals, in producing high quality aggregates from excavated materials at the mine. In order to support the activities of Petaquilla Minerals, the only mining company currently operating in Panama, PDI is using a selection of Sandvik drilling, crushing and screening equipment, all manufactured by, which has been supplied, and is supported by, Sandvik’s distributor in Pana
  • US asphalt plants must improve emissions performance, says Astec
    March 16, 2023
    Astec CEO and president Jaco van der Merwe has stressed the importance of helping American asphalt plant customers comply with new US greenhouse gas reduction legislation.
  • Asphalt plant operators offer fuel for thought
    August 28, 2013
    Asphalt plant operators across continental Europe are said to be increasingly turning to pulverized lignite to fuel or partially fuel production, while leading plant manufacturers have been busy closing key deals with customers in Russia, Bangladesh and Switzerland. Guy Woodford reports. Financially astute asphalt plant operators in Europe are said to be increasingly using pulverized lignite, also known as brown coal, from Germany to fuel or partially fuel production. Under the product name ‘Lignite Energ