In the Carbon-in-Pulp (CIP) process, the wedge wire screen acts as a "goalkeeper," with its core function being solid-liquid separation. It ensures that gold-loaded carbon particles are securely retained within the adsorption circuit, while the ore pulp flows through and out smoothly.

The specific roles are as follows:

1. Retention of Loaded Carbon: This is the primary and most critical function. Within the CIP adsorption tanks (typically a series in cascade), activated carbon must be thoroughly mixed with the gold-bearing pulp to facilitate gold adsorption. As the pulp transfers from one tank to the next, the wedge wire screen is essential for confining the activated carbon within its current tank, allowing only the pulp—and the valuable "pregnant carbon" intended for further processing—to proceed to the subsequent adsorption stage or recovery circuit. The unique structure of the wedge wire screen enables it to perform this task with high efficiency.

2. Unobstructed Pulp Flow: While intercepting carbon particles, the screen must simultaneously permit the free passage of the finely ground ore slurry without causing significant blockages or flow resistance, thereby ensuring the continuity of the production process.

3. Abrasion Resistance and Anti-Blinding Properties: Ore pulp is highly abrasive and may contain impurities such as fibers or wood chips. The trapezoidal slot profile (wider at the top, narrower at the bottom) of the wedge wire screen creates a "self-cleaning" effect. This design prevents particles from becoming lodged and trapped in the slots during fluid flow, significantly reducing the risk of blinding. Furthermore, the material of construction (commonly 304 or 316 stainless steel) offers excellent wear resistance, resulting in a long service life.

4. High Open Area: Compared to traditional perforated plates, wedge wire screens provide a larger effective filtration area (i.e., open area) while maintaining structural integrity. This means that for a given screen size, the wedge wire screen offers greater throughput capacity and processing volume.