Impact of Inline Polyacrylamide Polymer Flocculation on the Mechanical and Hydrological Properties of Saline Tailings

This study examines the geotechnical and hydro-mechanical behaviour of a model slurry used in high-solids, high-salinity applications, both before and after inline flocculation with an anionic polyacrylamide. Initial evaluations showed untreated tailings (UT) with a water content of 107%, void ratio...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Minerals (Basel) 2024-11, Vol.14 (11), p.1180
Main Authors: Boshrouyeh, Bob, Edraki, Mansour, Baumgartl, Thomas, Costine, Allan, Quintero Olaya, Sebastian, Lepková, Kateřina, Dwivedi, Deepak
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Anions
Compressibility
Consolidation
Dry density
Flocculation
Hydraulics
Hydrology
Mechanical properties
Mine tailings
Moisture content
Oil sands
Permeability
Polyacrylamide
Polymers
Porosity
Retention capacity
Salinity
Slurries
Surface active agents
Tailings
Tomography
Void ratio
Voids
Water compressibility
Water content
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Summary:This study examines the geotechnical and hydro-mechanical behaviour of a model slurry used in high-solids, high-salinity applications, both before and after inline flocculation with an anionic polyacrylamide. Initial evaluations showed untreated tailings (UT) with a water content of 107%, void ratio of 2.6, and dry density of 0.711 t/m3, compared to polymer-amended tailings (PAT) with 53% water content, a void ratio of 1.6, and a dry density of 1.069 t/m3. Post-flocculation consolidometer tests revealed a distinct consolidation mode, with PAT showing 60% less settlement within the first 48 h and achieving 50% more free water drainage. Polymer treatment improved consolidation parameters, yielding a lower compressibility index (Cc of 0.74 vs. 1.05 for raw slurry), a higher coefficient of consolidation (Cv of 0.005 cm2/s for PAT vs. 0.0009 cm2/s for raw slurry), and an increased water retention capacity. Additionally, PAT demonstrated a final void ratio of 0.62 compared to 0.51 for the UT sample and an internal porosity characterised by discrete voids, supporting enhanced stability for long-term rehabilitation. These findings underscore the potential of inline flocculation to improve tailings management in saline conditions.
ISSN:2075-163X
2075-163X
DOI:10.3390/min14111180