SIFTED: It is a physical method to select mixtures, which consists in passing a mixture of particles

of different sizes through a sieve, sieve to any equipment that can be strained. The smallest
particles pass through the pores of the sieve or sieve through it and the large ones are retained by
the same.

To carry out this separation the equipment used are criss-crossbars, perforated plates and metal
meshes.

The separation of solid materials according to their size is important for the production of different
products, as an example are the silica sands. It is widely used in cement industry and in the
production of pigments

SEDIMENTATION: Sedimentation is the process by which solid particles present in water are
removed by gravity.

Sedimentation is used to separate solid particles dispersed in a liquid. The density difference
between the solid particles and the liquid causes that, although the latter has an upward movement
and the solid particles settle, depositing at the bottom of where they are eliminated in the form of
sludge.

The equipment used are sedimentation tanks also we can use additives to accelerate sedimentation.

It is used in mining industry and water treatment.

FLOCULATION: Flocculation is a chemical process by which, with the addition of substances called
flocculants, the colloidal substances present in the water are agglutinated, facilitating their
decanting and subsequent filtering

The basic equipment are special containers also additives are used to improve the process. It is used
in mining industry