Research on the Dynamic Characteristics in the Flocculation Process of Mineral Processing Tailings

Rugao Gao,Keping Zhou,Hongquan Guo,Qifan Ren,Jian Zhang

doi:10.1109/access.2019.2940236

Rugao Gao, Keping Zhou + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1109/access.2019.2940236

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Abstract

Abandoned mineral management has become an important global issue, and the collection, recycling, and disposal of mineral processing tailings (MPT) is critical in both mining engineering and environmental protection. In this study, flocculation sedimentation experiments and slurry rheological tests were carried out with unclassified tailings, and the flocculation sedimentation behaviour of the tailings under different conditions was investigated. The experimental results showed the followings: (1) Under close sedimentation effect conditions, different flocculants showed different effects on the fluidity of the slurry underflow, which was used as an important basis for optimization of the flocculation effect. (2) A tailings solid mass concentration of 40% and a flocculant dosage of 25 g/t were obtained as preferable sedimentation conditions. (3) Based on a microparticle agglomeration characteristics tests at the initial stage of flocculation, a flocculation concentration kinetic model was established that conformed to the fractal characteristics of the particles, which improved the applicability and accuracy of the concentration kinetic equation and the characteristic variables. In this study, an objective method for determining the parameters of full tailings flocculation sedimentation was realized. The results of an industrial trial operation also verified the reliability of the preferred parameters, which provided an effective basis for refined control of an efficient tailings recycling process.

Highlights

At present, beneficiation is gradually becoming more complicated as ore grades decrease, resulting in a finer grain size of mineral processing tailings (MPT) and an increased output [1]–[3]
(3) Based on a microparticle agglomeration characteristics tests at the initial stage of flocculation, a flocculation concentration kinetic model was established that conformed to the fractal characteristics of the particles, which improved the applicability and accuracy of the concentration kinetic equation and the characteristic variables
The promotion of MPT flocculation sedimentation technology will aid in environmental protection and enable concentrated tailings to be used for mine backfilling, which has significant economic benefits [6]–[8]

Summary

Introduction

Beneficiation is gradually becoming more complicated as ore grades decrease, resulting in a finer grain size of MPT (mineral processing tailings) and an increased output [1]–[3]. The main tailings disposal methods are surface storage and underground backfilling. More than 25 billion tons of MPT have been produced in China, resulting in approximately 12,000 tailings dams. Tailings slurries of low concentrations have a large, immobilized water content, and generate large amounts of overflow when piled. This situation will cause instability of the accumulation body and lead to a series of problems such as environmental pollution and engineering disaster. It is necessary to treat the tailings slurry using flocculation sedimentation technology. The promotion of MPT flocculation sedimentation technology will aid in environmental protection and enable concentrated tailings to be used for mine backfilling, which has significant economic benefits [6]–[8]

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