Determining the Parameters of the Hydraulic Transport of Tailings for Processing Iron Ore

Abstract

The system for hydrotransport of tailings for iron ore processing at JSC EVRAZ Kachkanarsky GOK (Kachkanarsky Ore Mining and Processing Plant) acts as an object of research. The aim of the work was to determine the parameters of the hydraulic transport of tailings for processing iron ore at mass concentrations of the solid phase from 30% to 70% and to develop recommendations for the industrial operation of the hydrotransport systems of highly concentrated pulp from the Kachkanarsky GOK. Methods of carrying out the work include laboratory studies of hydrotransport parameters of thickened tail pulps with the development of a calculation technique; pilot-industrial tests of the hydrotransport system in the conditions of the Kachkanarsky GOK. As for the main structural, technological, technical and operational characteristics, it is established that when using polyurethane coatings on the inner surface of the pipes, the specific loss of pressure of thickened mixtures on hydrotransport is significantly reduced (1.75). This makes it possible to significantly increase the transportation range for laying the tailings for processing to the far parts of the tailing dump. Completed technical and economic calculations confirm the economic efficiency of using steel pipelines with an internal polyurethane coating. The degree of implementation of the research results is in the project for the reconstruction and development of tailing dump of the Kachkanarskiy GOK for the period of 2018-2020. As a recommendation for implementation of the research results, it is proposed to use the results of work in the project of reconstruction of the hydrotransport system at the Kachkanarsky GOK (ore processing plant) by switching to hydrotransport of slurries thickened to mass concentrations of 35-40% in pipes with an internal polyurethane coating, which will provide energy saving in the technological process of hydrotransport.