3450 XXXI International Mineral Processing Congress 2024 Proceedings/Washington, DC/Sep 29–Oct 3
to 68 wt%, which is the highest solids content achieved by
any thickeners at that tonnage and higher than competing
high performance thickeners installed at site.
Based on testing (3) × 45 m DCTs were selected to
handle the tonnage, with capacity for any two to handle the
total flows in case of mechanical or maintenance issues. To
manage the high throughput of highly concentrated slurry,
avoid ratholing, and hit the density target, an innovative
patented spiral inner blade design was used. CFD was also
used to confirm the design and the narrower residence time
distribution.
Proven effective through CFD modeling and real-world
implementation, this patented technology significantly
improves raking capacity and mud movement within the
thickener. This translates to a more even residence time dis-
tribution, enabling consistent thickening and higher under-
flow densities. As demonstrated in the copper concentrator
case study, the inner spiral blades facilitated a remarkable
7 wt% increase in underflow density consistently, directly
translating to water recovery, cost savings, and increased
TSF safety
These improvements lead directly to improved sustain-
ability for the operation:
• Improved water recovery lowers fresh water usage
• Reduced tailings dam volume and expense
• Improved dam safety
REFERENCES
Reid, D., Fourie, AB., 2015. The influence of slurry den-
sity on in situ density, Paste 2015: Proceedings of the
18th International Seminar on Paste and Thickened
Tailings, Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Perth.
Schoenbrunn, F., Braun, C., Rahal, K., and Gilbert,
C. 2022. Benefits and Costs of Paste Thickening,
Proceedings of Tailings 2022, Online Conference.
to 68 wt%, which is the highest solids content achieved by
any thickeners at that tonnage and higher than competing
high performance thickeners installed at site.
Based on testing (3) × 45 m DCTs were selected to
handle the tonnage, with capacity for any two to handle the
total flows in case of mechanical or maintenance issues. To
manage the high throughput of highly concentrated slurry,
avoid ratholing, and hit the density target, an innovative
patented spiral inner blade design was used. CFD was also
used to confirm the design and the narrower residence time
distribution.
Proven effective through CFD modeling and real-world
implementation, this patented technology significantly
improves raking capacity and mud movement within the
thickener. This translates to a more even residence time dis-
tribution, enabling consistent thickening and higher under-
flow densities. As demonstrated in the copper concentrator
case study, the inner spiral blades facilitated a remarkable
7 wt% increase in underflow density consistently, directly
translating to water recovery, cost savings, and increased
TSF safety
These improvements lead directly to improved sustain-
ability for the operation:
• Improved water recovery lowers fresh water usage
• Reduced tailings dam volume and expense
• Improved dam safety
REFERENCES
Reid, D., Fourie, AB., 2015. The influence of slurry den-
sity on in situ density, Paste 2015: Proceedings of the
18th International Seminar on Paste and Thickened
Tailings, Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Perth.
Schoenbrunn, F., Braun, C., Rahal, K., and Gilbert,
C. 2022. Benefits and Costs of Paste Thickening,
Proceedings of Tailings 2022, Online Conference.