SX Filtration Media (Anthracite & Garnet)
Solvent extraction (SX) plants in copper and cobalt refineries use dual-media filters of anthracite and garnet to strip entrained organic from the electrolyte before it reaches electrowinning. Clean electrolyte means fewer organic burns on cathodes, better cathode quality and less crud. We supply both media, graded for SX duty, by road from South Africa to the Copperbelt and the wider SADC region.
SX filter media we supply
| Media | Role in the SX filter | Typical grade |
|---|---|---|
| Anthracite | Top layer: coalesces and captures entrained organic and coarse solids | 1.2 – 2.4 mm |
| Garnet | Lower layer: dense polishing layer for fine solids and droplets | 30/40 or 20/40 mesh, with coarse support garnet |
| Support gravel | Holds the bed above the underdrain | Graded to the filter design |
Grades are confirmed against your filter OEM’s specification, with a certificate of analysis per batch.
Why media quality matters in SX
- Low fines content prevents media carry-over into the tank house
- Tight grading keeps the two layers separate after every backwash
- Hard, low-attrition grains hold their size through aggressive air scour
- Acid-resistant media will not leach into the electrolyte
Supply to the Copperbelt and SADC
We ship bagged and bulk-bag media by road to Zambia (Kitwe, Chingola, Solwezi), the DRC (Lubumbashi, Kolwezi), Botswana, Namibia and Mozambique, with export documentation and packaging suited to cross-border transport. See our export page.
Frequently asked questions
How often is SX filter media replaced?
Typically every one to three years, depending on organic loading, backwash practice and media attrition. Many plants top up anthracite between full change-outs.
Can you supply a full change-out for several filters?
Yes. Give us the number of filters, diameters and bed depths and we will quote every layer, packed and labelled per filter.