Eagle Iron Works’ Classifying Tanks are primarily used for washing and classifying sand. In addition to removing silts to produce an in-spec product, Classifying Tanks can also be used to scalp off large amounts of water from a slurry feed and to make multiple products from a single feed.

(Two 10’ x 40’ Eagle Iron Works Classifying Tanks)

Depending on the size of the Tank, the valve bridge of a Classifying Tank houses six to 11 valve stations. Each station typically consists of a paddle sensing device and hydraulic cylinders that operate valves at the bottom of the tank.

How they work

When a sand slurry enters the Classifying Tank, sand particles settle from coarse to fine in successive sizes down the tank. Fine sand particles that have not settled, along with excess water, are sent to the waste stream. Water is then added into the Rising Current Classifier to optimize the production of specification construction-grade sand products. The classified sand continues to accumulate at the bottom of the tank until it reaches a point where it stalls the sensing paddle at each valve station. The stalled paddle causes the valves to open and release the material to the collecting-blending flume as directed by the Classifying Tank Control System. The flumes recombine the fine and coarse sand fractions discharging from their valves for each product for downstream dewatering. Advanced sand reblending software automatically combines the sand into two or three products to keep products in spec, even when the feed changes.

(Classified sand discharges from each station into collecting-blending flumes (pictured))

Classifying Tank Configurations

EIW offers three different configurations of Classifying Tanks: stationary, semi-portable and portable. While requiring a supporting structure, stationary tanks are the best option for operations looking for high plant customization and ease of maintenance. Semi-portable plants are modular and allow for a quick setup, while having a low feed height. Although there are limited options for customizations, portable plants are built onto a wheeled chassis that can meet U.S. DOT standards and be transported from site to site. Each configuration has its own benefits, but the needs of the customer are key in determining which is right for their operation.

(Eagle Trek TSP Portable Wash Plant featuring an EIW Classifying Tank)

Customer Success Story

For more than 25 years, Silvi Materials has relied on two Eagle Iron Works Classifying Tanks as the backbone of one of their sand processing operations in New Jersey. Originally installed in the late 1990s, the Classifying Tank, paired with EIW Fine Material Washers, has helped Silvi consistently produce in-spec concrete sand for their ready-mix operations. Even after decades of use, the system continues to deliver reliable performance and minimal downtime.

When Silvi expanded their operations and opened a new location, they decided to replicate their original plant because of its success and reliability. “We looked around at other suppliers, but at the end of the day, we had such good success with the Eagle Iron Works equipment,” said Brian Adams, Area Manager of Sand Mining and Exports. “It was reliable. We went back to what we were comfortable with, and we stuck with what worked.” As a result, they experienced continued product consistency and efficiency that reaffirmed their confidence in Eagle Iron Works’ equipment.

(Two 12’x48’ EIW Classifying Tanks at Silvi’s Port Norris location)

For more information on EIW Classifying Tanks, visit eagleironworks.com.