Abstract
Abstract During bitumen separation from the mined oil sands ore, ultra‐fine, aluminosilicate clays, having a particle size of < 0.3 μm, are mobilized and become dispersed in the process water. In the presence of certain electrolytes these clays flocculate, ultimately forming thixotropic gels and producing tailings with a poor dewatering and consolidation characteristics. The effect of sodium chloride and sodium bicarbonate (the major electrolytes present in tailings water) on the aggregation and settling behavior of suspensions of an ultra‐fine clays was investigated. The rate of ultra‐fines flocculation and gelation was significantly lower in the presence of bicarbonate ions. However, regardless of electrolyte type, increasing amounts of salt ultimately produced increased particle settling rates by increasing the degree of flocculation. Ultra‐fines flocs, formed in the presence of either sodium chloride or sodium bicarbonate, settle freely to a 0.8 to 1.4 volume percentage solids. At this concentration s...
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Schedule a callMore From: Journal of Environmental Science and Health . Part A: Environmental Science and Engineering and Toxicology
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