Effect of cement-to-tailings ratio and flow rate on the wear performance of filling pipeline

Abstract

Pipeline wear is a common problem faced by all filling mines. The change of filling slurry cement-to-tailings ratio and flow rate is the key factor affecting pipeline wear. To determine the influence of different filling slurry cement-to-tailings ratios and flow rates on pipeline wear, a kind of pipeline wear loop test system was developed. Its application method was proposed. The test system was used to test different cement-to-tailings ratios, mass concentration (high concentration), and flow rate. The results show that the wear rate decreases with the increase of mass concentration and increases with the growth of the flow rate, which significantly impacts the wear rate. In contrast, the cement-to-tailings ratio considerably affected the wear rate at a higher flow rate. The mechanism of the solid particles in the slurry acting on the test block is the same as that on the pipe wall. The traction load particles' move along the inner wall of the pipeline is the main form of motion leading to pipeline wear. The mathematical models of slurry mass concentration and wear rate, slurry flow rate, and wear rate are established. It is found that there is an obvious linear relationship between the wear rate and slurry mass concentration under the condition of high slurry mass concentration. The relationship between the wear rate and slurry flow rate is a power function. The power term of the function is related to the cement-to-tailings ratio of slurry. Finally, the influence mechanism of slurry cement-to-tailings ratio, mass concentration, and flow rate on the block wear is revealed through the movement of solid particles. The research results have a good reference value for controlling the slurry cement-to-tailings ratio and flow rate in the pipeline transportation process of filling mines.