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| Gold Recovery with Big Bag Filters |
| Updated 10/4/2007 |
In that vein, "Bag Filtration" offers a bare-bones way to do volume recovery, with bigger
pump systems, in remote locations. From Alberta, Canada to Costa Rica, these systems
are being assembled and put on line, at stream side locations, with both gravity-feed and
high-volume pumps, to recover gold and precious metal values directly from known gold
bearing rivers, wells and similar settings. Some are collecting from wash waters at existing
gravel operations, placer plants, tabling of re-worked tailings, the list goes on.
This boils down the equipment list to the pump, hoses and bags as the basis of this method.
The difference between "Housed" filters and our "Open", un-housed filtration bags, is the
amount of pressure from the pump you can apply. Housed filters can be run at 100psi, while
un-housed filters typically are set to run at about 20psi.
Although the bags run at lesser pressures, they can handle large volumes of water.
Example; A 30" x 36" bag will process about 100 GPM (gallons per minute) at 20psi. This
means if you have a 1,000GPM pump, running stream side, you will need 10 bags, plus a
couple extra to keep on line, as relief when you change a bag out..this allows you to keep
running for maximum run time and profits.
pump systems, in remote locations. From Alberta, Canada to Costa Rica, these systems
are being assembled and put on line, at stream side locations, with both gravity-feed and
high-volume pumps, to recover gold and precious metal values directly from known gold
bearing rivers, wells and similar settings. Some are collecting from wash waters at existing
gravel operations, placer plants, tabling of re-worked tailings, the list goes on.
This boils down the equipment list to the pump, hoses and bags as the basis of this method.
The difference between "Housed" filters and our "Open", un-housed filtration bags, is the
amount of pressure from the pump you can apply. Housed filters can be run at 100psi, while
un-housed filters typically are set to run at about 20psi.
Although the bags run at lesser pressures, they can handle large volumes of water.
Example; A 30" x 36" bag will process about 100 GPM (gallons per minute) at 20psi. This
means if you have a 1,000GPM pump, running stream side, you will need 10 bags, plus a
couple extra to keep on line, as relief when you change a bag out..this allows you to keep
running for maximum run time and profits.
| I hear constantly from those who have to cart equipment up mountain trails and into deep jungles that "Lighter is better". |
| Setting Up with Bag Filters |
A typical "Stream side" setting will be on the beach of your gold-bearing river. Start by
setting up your pump , then set plastic tarps down to protect the bag fabric bottoms,
which are set on either side of the main pressure line, and connected with up to 4" T 's
from that line, via "barb" style agricultural pressure connectors.
Although the bags have a nominal 4" opening, they can be folded and re-clamped to any
size pipe 4", or under.
At this point some operators like to add a small nylon paint-strainer bag filled with carbon
to catch the super-fine gold as well, inside the 4" opening..then clamp them to the pipe
with the plastic clamp provided. Add as many Bags as it takes to equal the output of your
pump or gravity feed line. Remember that slow is good with these bags, so figure on 20
lbs pressure coming from the line to each bag.
Most operators will install a pressure gage and ball or knife valve between bags and
mainline "T" connection, to keep the pressures steady to each bag filter.
When the pressure rises to 40 lbs or so..it's full.
Disconnect and add a new one, wash out the old one, and keep on collecting that
super-fine gold with ease.
setting up your pump , then set plastic tarps down to protect the bag fabric bottoms,
which are set on either side of the main pressure line, and connected with up to 4" T 's
from that line, via "barb" style agricultural pressure connectors.
Although the bags have a nominal 4" opening, they can be folded and re-clamped to any
size pipe 4", or under.
At this point some operators like to add a small nylon paint-strainer bag filled with carbon
to catch the super-fine gold as well, inside the 4" opening..then clamp them to the pipe
with the plastic clamp provided. Add as many Bags as it takes to equal the output of your
pump or gravity feed line. Remember that slow is good with these bags, so figure on 20
lbs pressure coming from the line to each bag.
Most operators will install a pressure gage and ball or knife valve between bags and
mainline "T" connection, to keep the pressures steady to each bag filter.
When the pressure rises to 40 lbs or so..it's full.
Disconnect and add a new one, wash out the old one, and keep on collecting that
super-fine gold with ease.
| Though we no longer carry the Big Bag Filters, we leave this page here for your education. |