734 XXXI International Mineral Processing Congress 2024 Proceedings/Washington, DC/Sep 29–Oct 3
consolidation test is used to establish the general thickener
operating window.
Slurry Characterization
Table 1 displays the measured solids concentrations for the
received tailings sample pails. The elevated standard devia-
tion noted for Sample from Producer #1 is attributed to
the presence of coarse particles, making it challenging to
obtain representative samples at the actual as-received sol-
ids concentration. To address this, each sample underwent
decanting and consolidation into a single sample container
at higher solid concentrations. This ensured a more repre-
sentative subsampling process for the test program.
Solids Characterization
Table 2 provides the measured solids densities for both tail-
ings, while the particle size distributions are illustrated in
Figure 1, highlighting the coarser particle content at the
Site #1 sample.
Sample from Producer #1—Semi-Dynamic Batch
Cylinder Settling and Consolidation Testwork
Figure 2 presents the optimal flocculation solids concentra-
tion for conventional polymer and TNS technology. At 8%
solids concentration, both treated samples exhibit a peak
settling flux. It’s possible that with a more closely spaced
test pattern for both series, a different dosage may achieve
the peak. However, in general, the results show similar
trends with both additives.
In Figure 3, a comparison of different solids loading
rates during the consolidation phase is presented, show-
casing the relationship with thickener underflow solids
mass concentration. At an equivalent reagent dosage, this
technology demonstrates a substantially higher solids load-
ing rate compared to equal underflow solids concentra-
tion using conventional polymer chemistry. Moreover, the
treated tailings attain notably higher final underflow solids
concentrations. Figure 3 demonstrates that despite using
Table 1. As received tailings solids mass concentrations
Units Sample from Producer #1 Sample from Producer #2
Tailings Solids Mass Concentration m/m 31.0% (SD 1.8%) 37.6% (SD 0.3%)
Table 2. As Received Solids Densities
Units
Sample from Producer #1
(Site #1)
Sample from Producer #2
(Site #2)
Solids Density kg/m3 2,650 2,640
Figure 1. As received particle size distributions
consolidation test is used to establish the general thickener
operating window.
Slurry Characterization
Table 1 displays the measured solids concentrations for the
received tailings sample pails. The elevated standard devia-
tion noted for Sample from Producer #1 is attributed to
the presence of coarse particles, making it challenging to
obtain representative samples at the actual as-received sol-
ids concentration. To address this, each sample underwent
decanting and consolidation into a single sample container
at higher solid concentrations. This ensured a more repre-
sentative subsampling process for the test program.
Solids Characterization
Table 2 provides the measured solids densities for both tail-
ings, while the particle size distributions are illustrated in
Figure 1, highlighting the coarser particle content at the
Site #1 sample.
Sample from Producer #1—Semi-Dynamic Batch
Cylinder Settling and Consolidation Testwork
Figure 2 presents the optimal flocculation solids concentra-
tion for conventional polymer and TNS technology. At 8%
solids concentration, both treated samples exhibit a peak
settling flux. It’s possible that with a more closely spaced
test pattern for both series, a different dosage may achieve
the peak. However, in general, the results show similar
trends with both additives.
In Figure 3, a comparison of different solids loading
rates during the consolidation phase is presented, show-
casing the relationship with thickener underflow solids
mass concentration. At an equivalent reagent dosage, this
technology demonstrates a substantially higher solids load-
ing rate compared to equal underflow solids concentra-
tion using conventional polymer chemistry. Moreover, the
treated tailings attain notably higher final underflow solids
concentrations. Figure 3 demonstrates that despite using
Table 1. As received tailings solids mass concentrations
Units Sample from Producer #1 Sample from Producer #2
Tailings Solids Mass Concentration m/m 31.0% (SD 1.8%) 37.6% (SD 0.3%)
Table 2. As Received Solids Densities
Units
Sample from Producer #1
(Site #1)
Sample from Producer #2
(Site #2)
Solids Density kg/m3 2,650 2,640
Figure 1. As received particle size distributions