Assessment of rheological and sedimentation characteristics of fresh cemented tailings backfill slurry


Cao S., Xue G., Yılmaz E., Yin Z.

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MINING RECLAMATION AND ENVIRONMENT, vol.35, no.5, pp.319-335, 2021 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 35 Issue: 5
  • Publication Date: 2021
  • Doi Number: 10.1080/17480930.2020.1826092
  • Journal Name: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MINING RECLAMATION AND ENVIRONMENT
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, Applied Science & Technology Source, Compendex, Computer & Applied Sciences, Environment Index, Geobase, Greenfile, INSPEC, Pollution Abstracts
  • Page Numbers: pp.319-335
  • Keywords: Cemented tailings backfill, sedimentation characteristics, rheological behaviour, flocculant, slump, viscosity, solid content, cement-to-tailings ratio, UNIAXIAL COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH, PASTE BACKFILL, FLY-ASH, MICROSTRUCTURAL PROPERTIES, MECHANICAL-PROPERTIES, SOLID COMPONENTS, PORE STRUCTURE, YIELD-STRESS, FIBER-TYPE, BEHAVIOR
  • Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Unreasonable choice of solid content (SC) and cement-to-tailings ratio (c/t), including pipeline networking system, will lead to some pipeline problems, such as blockage, wear, and rupture. Hence, this study deals with the rheology and sedimentation characteristics of fresh CTB slurry. Samples having a SC value of 65, 67 and 69wt.%, as well as a c/t ratio of 1:2, 1:1 and 1:4, were prepared and exposed to their rheological tests. Likewise, the sedimentation properties of CTB slurry was studied by picking polyacrylamide (PAM) as flocculant. Results showed that: (1) CTB's slump reduced with growing SC and c/t values when SC was kept constant. (2) The viscosity and shear stress increased with increasing SC values, signifying a linear link between shear stress and stress rate. (3) There was also an exponential link between sedimentation rate and PAM flocculant content in CTB. When PAM value increased from 75 to 80 g/t, a clear difference was observed in the clarification layer height (CLH). The CLH increments were also 7.5 and 7.14% for a ST of 20 and 30 min, respectively. Finally, this work will greatly contribute to the mining industry in assessing the transport aspect of CTB slurry to underground mined-out stopes.