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Wet Sand / Fine Sand Recovery

Manufactured Sand Washing Plant

Wet-process sand washing plant for cleaner 0-5 mm manufactured sand, stable dewatering, fine sand recovery, wastewater filtration, recycled water return and finished stockpiles.

Process scope Planning framework only. Cleanliness, moisture, water recycling and discharge targets must be confirmed through material testing, site layout review and local requirements.

Equipment matching is checked by feed material, mud and moisture, target capacity, product size, site layout and environmental requirements.

Sand washing plantSand dewateringFine sand recoveryFilter press wastewater treatmentWastewater treatment planning
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Washed sand production line site view with washing, dewatering, recovery, settling and finished conveying equipment
Overview

Where this process fits

Use this route when the buyer is planning a wet manufactured-sand line, not just purchasing a single washer. The key question is how sand, fine particles, muddy slurry and recycled water move through the site.

Front-end crushing and screening prepare a stable feed for the wet section. The main selection work is washing intensity, dewatering, fine sand recovery, slurry filtration, water return and finished sand stockpiling. Final sizing still depends on feed grading, mud behavior, target moisture, water balance and local discharge rules.

Process

Typical process flow

01. Feed preparation

Stabilizes incoming material and identifies oversize stone, clay lumps, fines or recycled aggregate before the wet section.

GZT bar feeder or ZSW vibrating feeder

02. Crushing and sand making

Reduces oversize material when needed so the downstream screen and washer receive a consistent feed size.

WLC jaw crusher, cone crusher, roller crusher, heavy hammer crusher or SHKX fine crusher

03. Screening split before washing

Separates oversize stone, washable sand and muddy fines; this step controls the load on the washer, recovery machine and filter press.

Inclined screen, horizontal screen or WLGSX trommel screen

04. Washing / scrubbing

Removes mud, clay and stone powder. Wheel washing, spiral washing or rotary scrubbing is selected by mud behavior and washing intensity.

XS wheel washer, LSX spiral washer or RXT rotary scrubber

05. Integrated washing option

Combines washing, fine sand recovery and dewatering in one compact unit when the site needs fewer transfer points.

SHY integrated sand washing, fine sand recovery and dewatering machine

06. Dewatering

Removes free water from washed sand so the product can be conveyed, stockpiled or loaded.

WLTS dewatering screen for washed sand

07. Fine sand recovery

Recovers 0.075-0.6 mm fine sand from washing overflow before the remaining slurry goes to ponds or filter press treatment.

WS fine sand recovery machine

08. Slurry filtration and water return

Separates remaining fine mud slurry into mud cake and reusable process water where water recycling or zero-discharge planning is required.

HHT filter press for sand washing wastewater

09. Finished conveying and stockpiling

Transfers washed sand, recovered fine sand and graded aggregate to stockpiles or loading points.

WLB belt conveyor

Flow Routes

Material, fine-sand, slurry and water routes inside the wet line

Sand and aggregate route
  • Feed material -> feeding -> optional crushing -> screening split -> washing / scrubbing -> dewatering -> finished sand and graded stone stockpiles
Fine sand recovery route
  • Washing overflow slurry -> slurry pump -> hydrocyclone -> recovered 0.075-0.6 mm fine sand -> recovery dewatering screen -> finished sand route
Slurry / mud route
  • Fine-sand recovery overflow -> buffer tank / settling pond -> slurry pump -> HHT filter press -> mud cake discharge
Clean-water return route
  • Filter press filtrate and clarified water -> clean-water pond -> washing water supply -> washer / scrubber / spray points
Equipment Matching

Equipment by process section

Process role Equipment reference Selection note
Feeding Feeder Use a bar feeder for large or muddy feed; use an ordinary vibrating feeder when material is cleaner and smaller.
Crushing and sand making WLC jaw crusher / cone crusher / roller crusher / heavy hammer crusher / SHKX fine crusher Select the front-end crushing package by hardness, feed size and finished sand requirement.
Screening before washing Vibrating screen / WLGSX trommel screen Use vibrating screens for clean crushed material; use trommel screening when the feed is wet, muddy or prone to clogging.
Washing Sand Washer for Sand Washing Plant Wheel washer fits lower-mud sand; spiral washer fits deeper washing of higher-mud or weathered material.
Compact integrated washing SHY Integrated Sand Washing & Fine Sand Recovery Machine Use this option when the site is compact or the buyer prefers washing, recovery and dewatering in one machine.
Dewatering WLTS Dewatering Screen for Washed Sand Used after washing to reduce moisture before belt conveying or stockpiling.
Fine sand recovery WS Fine Sand Recovery Machine Recovers fine sand from overflow slurry and reduces solids load before settling or filter press treatment.
Slurry treatment HHT Filter Press for Sand Washing Wastewater For projects that require fine mud slurry dewatering and process-water reuse.
Conveying WLB Belt Conveyor Transfers washed sand and aggregate between equipment and stockpiles.
Equipment Scope

Standard and optional equipment by section

Process section Standard equipment Optional equipment
Feeding GZT bar feeder or ZSW vibrating feeder. For sticky or muddy feed, add trommel screening or rotary scrubbing before washing.
Crushing and sand making WLC jaw crusher with secondary crushing or fine crushing equipment. Use hydraulic cone crusher for hard rock, heavy hammer or roller crusher for suitable medium-soft material, and SHKX for premium sand shaping.
Screening before washing Inclined or horizontal vibrating screen. WLGSX trommel screen for high-mud wet feed.
Washing XS wheel washer or LSX / 2LSX spiral washer. SHY integrated washing, recovery and dewatering machine for compact layouts.
Dewatering and recovery WLTS dewatering screen plus WS tailings recovery machine. If fine sand loss is low and environmental pressure is limited, a simplified dewatering plan can be evaluated first.
Wastewater treatment Settling pond plus clean-water pond. Add HHT automatic filter press, dosing tank and water-recycling system when local requirements are strict.
Finished material conveying WLB belt conveyor. Add finished sand conveyor, transfer conveyor, silo or tripper according to stockpile layout.
Capacity

Capacity planning ranges

The following packages are planning references. Final selection depends on mud content, water balance, finished sand requirements and site layout.

Line size Typical capacity target Configuration idea
Small line 50-100 t/h XS2410 wheel sand washer + WLTS1230 dewatering screen + WS9020 fine sand recovery machine.
Medium line 100-200 t/h LSX1580 spiral washer + WLTS1536 dewatering screen + WS1225 fine sand recovery machine + HHT30 filter press.
Large line 200-300 t/h 2LSX1580 double spiral washer + WLTS1842 dewatering screen + WS1530 fine sand recovery machine + HHT60 filter press.
Package References

Reference packages by capacity range

These packages are planning references for the website, not fixed quotation lists. Final equipment selection requires a technical review of material, mud content, water volume and site layout.

Compact integrated washing line

Small or medium washing project where the site has limited space or the buyer wants fewer transfer points.

About 20-200 t/h, covered by SHY1230 / 1530 / 1840 / 2040.

  • Core equipment: SHY washing, recovery and dewatering integrated machine
  • Front end: crushing, screening or trommel pre-treatment according to material
  • Back end: HHT filter press or settling-pond recycling according to environmental requirement
  • Conveying: WLB finished sand conveyor
Standard washed manufactured sand line

Mainstream manufactured sand plant that needs stable washing, dewatering and fine sand recovery.

About 100-200 t/h

  • Washing: LSX1580 spiral washer or XS3016 / XS3620 wheel washer
  • Dewatering: WLTS1536 dewatering screen
  • Recovery: WS1225 / WS1530 tailings recovery machine
  • Conveying: WLB belt conveyor
  • Environmental: HHT30/800 or HHT60/1000 filter press depending on slurry volume
High-mud large-capacity washing line

High-mud weathered material, mountain sand, tailings sand or larger aggregate plants with stricter environmental requirements.

About 200-300 t/h

  • Pre-treatment: RXT rotary scrubber or WLGSX trommel screen
  • Washing: 2LSX1580 double spiral washer
  • Dewatering: WLTS1842 / WLTS2048
  • Recovery: WS1836 / WS2042 double-hydrocyclone tailings recovery machine
  • Filter press: HHT100/1250 to HHT150/1250 automatic plate-and-frame filter press
Feed Materials

Suitable feed materials

  • Crushed stone or manufactured sand after crushing and screening, where washing is required before sale or stockpiling.
  • River-pebble sand, weathered mountain sand, quartz sand and selected recycled aggregate that need wet cleaning.
  • Sand and aggregate containing mud, clay lumps, stone powder or surface dust that must be reduced before use.
Mud Content

Mud-content assessment

  • Low-mud feed: Mud content below 10%; mainly surface dust or light stone powder. Start with an XS wheel washer, then evaluate WS fine sand recovery if fine-sand loss matters.
  • Medium-mud feed: Mud content around 10%-25%; the process needs stronger washing and clay removal. LSX spiral washer, WLTS dewatering screen and WS recovery machine are typical selection points.
  • High-mud or sticky clay feed: Mud content above 25%, or clay lumps wrapped around stone. Start with RXT rotary scrubbing or 2LSX double spiral washing, then size the filter press and water-recycling section.
Output Targets

Target products and operating goals

  • Prepare a stable feed before washing and split oversize stone, washable sand and muddy fines into the right routes.
  • Remove surface dust, sticky clay and stone powder through washing or scrubbing according to material behavior.
  • Dewater washed sand at the discharge point so it can move to belt conveying, stockpiling or truck loading.
  • Recover 0.075-0.6 mm fine sand from washing overflow before the remaining slurry enters wastewater treatment.
  • Filter muddy water when water reuse, mud-cake discharge or zero-discharge planning is required.
  • Return clarified water to the washing section and convey finished sand, recovered sand and graded aggregate to separate stockpiles.
Washing

When washing is required

  • Low-mud premium sand: start with XS wheel sand washer for a compact layout and controlled fine-sand loss.
  • Weathered sand, mountain sand or higher-mud material: select LSX / 2LSX spiral washer for longer washing travel and stronger scrubbing.
  • Clay-wrapped stone or muddy large feed: evaluate RXT rotary scrubber or WLGSX trommel pre-screening before washing.
  • When fine sand loss and pond cleaning are key issues: add WS fine sand recovery machine.
  • When wastewater discharge is restricted or the site lacks large settling ponds: add HHT filter press and a water-recycling route.
Wet Process

Optional wet-processing section

  • High-clay material can be matched with an RXT rotary scrubber before sand washing.
  • If washing feed contains clay lumps or many impurities, add WLGSX trommel pre-screening before the washer.
  • For high-solids slurry, evaluate dosing tanks, buffer ponds and larger filter-press area.
  • For lower manual intervention, evaluate linked control for pumps, recovery machine, dewatering screen and filter press.
Finished Sizes

Finished product size references

Washed manufactured sand
  • 0-5 mm washed sand
  • Cleanliness target must be confirmed by material test and customer standard.
Clean aggregate
  • 5-31.5 mm aggregate can be produced when the front-end line includes aggregate screening.
Recovered fine sand and mud cake
  • Recoverable particle size and recovery rate depend on slurry grading, hydrocyclone size and screen condition.
  • Filter-press mud cake is a by-product; reuse, backfill or transport must follow local requirements.
Outputs

Main product outputs

  • 0-5 mm washed manufactured sand, subject to customer test before concrete, mortar or building-material use.
  • 5-10 mm, 10-20 mm and 20-31.5 mm clean aggregate when front-end screening is included.
  • Recovered fine sand, either blended into finished sand or stockpiled separately after grading confirmation.
  • Filter-press mud cake and recycled water are environmental outputs, not main products.
Selection Limits

Key selection limits

  • Suitable when the buyer needs cleaner sand, better product appearance or higher-value washed material.
  • High-mud weathered material should be evaluated with spiral washing or rotary scrubber pre-washing.
  • Low-mud fine sand can often start with wheel washing.
  • Dry projects with no washing requirement do not need WS and HHT equipment.
  • If the product is only road base or backfill and cleanliness is not important, start with dry crushing-screening or simplified washing.
  • If slurry contains plastic, wood chips, grass or other debris, add grating or manual pre-sorting before pumps, cyclones and filter plates.
  • In freezing winter regions, discuss pipe insulation, pump rooms or enclosed workshops.
Inquiry Data

Information needed before a proposal

  • Mud content and raw material photos
  • Target capacity
  • Finished sand use and cleanliness requirement
  • Local wastewater discharge or recycling requirement
  • Available water, power and pond layout
  • Maximum feed size and whether crushing / screening has already been completed
  • Whether the buyer needs 0-5 mm premium sand, graded aggregate, or both
  • Existing settling pond size, clean-water pond condition and site elevation difference
  • Whether filter-press mud cake must be transported, backfilled or reused
  • Budget direction: simplified washing / standard recovery / full filter-press water recycling
FAQ

Frequently asked project questions

What information is needed to design a sand washing plant?

Raw material photos, mud content, target capacity, finished sand specification, water source, pond layout, voltage and local wastewater rules are needed before selecting the sand washer, fine sand recovery system and water-treatment equipment.

When should a sand washing plant include a fine sand recovery machine?

Add a fine sand recovery machine when washing overflow carries recoverable 0.075-0.6 mm fine sand, when settling ponds lose saleable sand or when the plant wants to reduce pond-cleaning load.

Does every sand washing plant need a filter press?

No. A filter press for sand washing wastewater is selected when discharge is restricted, pond space is limited, slurry volume is high or the project needs filter cake discharge and process-water reuse.

Which equipment is most important in a washed manufactured sand line?

The core wet section is the sand washer, WLTS dewatering screen, fine sand recovery machine and, when required, the filter press. Front-end crushing and screening are matched to feed size, hardness and washing load.

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