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

  • Plant advances for asphalt production boost efficiency
    May 30, 2018
    Advances in asphalt plant technology will boost efficiency for producers, while increasing the percentage of recycled materials that can be used in the mix - Mike Woof writes. Asphalt plant technology continues to advance as the rival firms fine-tune their technologies for greater performance. New plants can give higher quality output due to new control technologies, while also allowing for recycled asphalt pavement (RAP) to be used more efficiently, while still ensuring tight mix specifications are met. A
  • McCloskey Washing Systems eyes rapid growth
    March 9, 2017
    McCloskey Washing Systems (MWS) is targeting rapid growth after unveiling the Sandstorm 620 modular wash plant – the first of six new models the company has in production just 12 months after its launch. The Sandstorm range – 516, 620 and 824 – incorporates feeding, screening, aggregate and sand washing along with stockpiling all products on a single compact modular chassis.
  • New aggregate plant for Sinoma Cement in China
    May 16, 2016
    Sinoma Cement is one of the largest cement manufacturers in the Peoples Republic of China. In 2012 the company decided to boost its aggregate production, both for its own use in cement production, and to supply aggregates to the local construction market. In order to do this Sinoma Cement invested in two aggregate plants supplied by Sandvik Construction, consisting of feeders, screens, jaw and impact crushers. The firm’s extensive production of clinker cement is facilitated through three production lines
  • Optimising crushing and screening efficiency with Haver & Boecker
    January 30, 2017
    Haver & Boecker claims that its NIAflow plant simulation software can help producers optimise quarry operations. The company is also offering new screening grid options that can improve screening performance. The NIAflow package can be used to boost the efficiency of plant throughput, realign machine location and deliver product pre-calculations. This package can be used for existing or proposed processes and records plant status as well as identifying plant optimisation options. The software is availabl