In today’s era of high-quality development in the mining industry, mineral processing enterprises are no longer competing solely on resource reserves; rather, they are vying on system efficiency and their ability to control unit energy consumption. Particularly in the processing of non-metallic and new-energy minerals such as feldspar powder and lepidolite, the solid-liquid separation stage has become a critical juncture that affects product quality, production rhythm, and overall costs.

Among the many types of filtration equipment, the horizontal vacuum belt filter has become the mainstream due to its continuous operation, large processing capacity, and high degree of automation. Moreover, the performance of the filter cloth—used in conjunction with this equipment—directly determines both the filtration efficiency and the moisture content of the filter cake. As a leading enterprise in China’s research and manufacturing of filtration materials (mesh belts), Xiamen Xiadis Filter Materials Technology Co., Ltd. is promoting the upgrading of ore dressing and filtration technologies through systematic thinking.

I. From “ Can filter ” To “ High-efficiency filtration ” New Requirements for the Ore Dressing Industry

In the past, the core objective of mineral processing and filtration was to achieve solid-liquid separation; today, the industry’s focus has shifted to:

• Is the processing capacity per unit area maximized?
• Is the moisture content of the filter cake controllable?
• Is the service life of the filter cloth stable?
• Has the system's energy consumption decreased?

Especially against the backdrop of intensifying competition for lithium resources, lithium mica beneficiation enterprises are placing greater emphasis on improving efficiency at every stage. As a critical dewatering step following concentration, filtration directly affects the costs of subsequent drying and roasting processes.

Therefore, optimizing the filtration system is not merely a matter of equipment; it’s also a question of how the filter cloth and equipment work together in a coordinated manner.

II. Feldspar Powder Filtration: Balancing Stability and Continuity

During the beneficiation process of feldspar powder, the particle size distribution of the slurry after grinding spans a wide range, with a high proportion of fine particles. If the pore size distribution of the filter cloth is uneven, local blockages are highly likely to occur, leading to:

• Vacuum fluctuation;
• Filtration rate decreases;
• The filter cake thickness is uneven;
• The risk of localized damage is increasing.

The horizontal vacuum belt filter relies on a vacuum chamber to achieve continuous dewatering, with the filter cloth circulating between the roller and the vacuum box. Long-term operation under constant tension places extremely high demands on the dimensional stability and tensile strength of the filter cloth.

For this operating condition, ** Xiamen Xiadis Filter Materials Technology Co., Ltd. ** By optimizing the weaving structure, the filter cloth achieves both excellent air permeability and superior surface smoothness and dimensional stability, thereby enhancing filtration uniformity and equipment operational stability.

III. Lithium Mica Filtration: A Challenge of Coexisting Fine Particles and High Value-Added Products

As an important source of lithium resources for new energy applications, lepidolite ore beneficiation processes demand higher filtration precision. The high proportion of fine-grained particles and the complex residual reagents in the slurry pose three major challenges to the filtration system:

1. Easily clogged holes
2. The filter cake is difficult to remove.
3. High clarity is required for the filtrate.

If the filter cloth structure is unreasonable, the following may occur: “ Initial filtration is fast, but it severely degrades later on. ” the situation.

In this context, filter cloths must not only trap fine particles but also ensure smooth liquid discharge to prevent the formation of excessively thick filter cake layers.

Through a layered weaving structure design, Xadias ensures that the surface layer is responsible for fine particle retention, while the underlying layer provides drainage support channels. This design not only enhances filtration efficiency but also reduces the risk of clogging. Such structured thinking represents an important milestone in the advancement of domestically produced filter cloth technology.

IV. The Core Synergistic Logic of the Horizontal Vacuum Belt Filter

The operational logic of a horizontal vacuum belt filter can be summarized as follows:

• Fabric feed;
• Vacuum filtration;
• Washing section;
• Drying section;
• Discharge and backwashing.

Throughout the entire process, the filter cloth is constantly involved in a cyclical motion. Its performance—whether good or poor—directly affects:

• Vacuum retention capability;
• Washing performance;
• Filter cake thickness control;
• Discharge smoothness.

If the filter cloth lacks sufficient abrasion resistance, prolonged friction will lead to fiber fatigue. If its air permeability is insufficient, it will increase the vacuum pump’s workload and raise energy consumption.

Therefore, filter cloth selection must take into account:

• Slurry particle size distribution;
• Slurry concentration;
• Processing volume demand;
• Equipment tensioning structure;
• Flush system pressure.

Through laboratory simulation tests and on-site condition surveys, Xadias has established technical experiments to provide customers with more targeted selection recommendations, rather than simply supplying standard specifications.

V. The Upgrade Path for Domestic Filter Cloth Manufacturing Capacity

In the past, high-end mine filtration filter cloths have long relied on imported brands. However, in recent years, domestic enterprises have continuously improved their weaving techniques, equipment precision, and quality control.

Xiamen Xiadis Filter Materials Technology Co., Ltd. boasts a complete weaving and processing system, enabling it to exercise independent control over the entire production process—from raw filaments to finished filter fabrics. This integrated capability gives the company a distinct advantage in terms of product stability and delivery lead times.

Meanwhile, enterprises continue to make breakthroughs in the following areas:

• Introduction of high-precision weaving equipment;
• Digital quality monitoring;
• Construction of a filtration testing platform;
• Special Plan for the Development of New Energy Minerals.

In the lepidolite and feldspar powder project, optimizing the filter cloth structure can achieve the dual benefits of increasing filtration speed and reducing moisture content, helping enterprises lower drying energy consumption and operational costs.

VI. The Impact of Filtration Efficiency on Total Cost

Mineral processing companies often overlook the impact of the filtration stage on overall costs. In fact, improving filtration efficiency will trigger a series of cascading effects:

1. The moisture content of the filter cake decreases. → Drying energy consumption decreases;
2. Increased filtration rate → Increased output per unit of time;
3. Extended filter cloth life → Consumable costs have decreased;
4. Enhanced system stability → Reduce downtime losses.

Taking lepidolite production as an example, if the moisture content of the filter cake is reduced... 2%~3% It has a remarkably significant impact on the energy consumption of subsequent heat treatment processes.

Therefore, choosing high-performance filter cloth is not merely a matter of material selection—it’s a systematic investment decision.

7. Future Trends: Intelligent and Refined Filtration Systems

As the new energy industry continues to expand, the scale of lithium resource processing is steadily increasing. In the future, ore dressing and filtration will exhibit the following trends:

• Higher filtration accuracy requirements;
• Higher throughput design;
• Longer service life;
• Online monitoring and lifetime prediction;
• System energy-saving optimization.

Filter cloth companies will no longer be merely suppliers of consumables; instead, they will become key participants in the collaborative optimization of filtration systems.

Under this trend, Xadias continues to intensify its R&D investment, driving the development of filter fabrics toward higher stability and greater adaptability, thereby helping mining companies achieve more efficient and environmentally friendly production models.

Conclusion

In the beneficiation process of feldspar powder and lepidolite, the horizontal vacuum belt filter is an essential piece of equipment for achieving continuous and efficient dewatering, while the filter cloth is the core component that determines the quality and efficiency of the filtration.

As standards for new energy and non-metallic mineral processing continue to rise, filtration systems are shifting from... “ Meet the demand ” Toward “ Optimize efficiency ” Technological breakthroughs by domestic filter cloth brands enable companies to have more cost-effective and customized options.

As a representative of China’s leading filter cloth manufacturers, Xiamen Xiadis Filter Materials Technology Co., Ltd. We are driving continuous upgrades in mineral processing and filtration technology through technological innovation and systematic solutions.

Under the general trend of efficient resource utilization and green mine development, every advancement in filtration technology represents an important step toward upgrading the mining industry’s value chain.