Analysis of Energy Sustainability in Ore Slurry Pumping Transport Systems

Abstract

The mining industry is characterized by a high consumption of energy due to the wide diversity of processes involved, specifically the transportation of ore slurry via pipeline systems. This study investigates the relationship among the variables that define the slurry transportation system to minimize the power requirements and increase energy sustainability. The energy indicator (I), the criterion used for the energy assessment of three different pumping system layouts, was computed via numerical simulation. Optimization of response I was carried out through a statistical technique in the design of the experiment. In the study, four variables were defined to describe the slurry transportation systems, two of which are associated with the piping system (length L and diameter D); the other two are related to the slurry pattern (the volumetric concentration Cv and granulometry D50). The results show that all variables are statistically significant relative to the indicator I, with L having the greatest amplitude of variation in the response, increasing the energy indicator by approximately 60%. Likewise, the decrease of the D50 from 300 µm to 100 µm produces an average decrease of I of 24%. Moreover, the interaction among the factors indicates that two pairs of factors are correlated, namely D50 with L and D with L. Finally, a predictive model obtained a fit that satisfactorily relates with the numerical data, allowing, in a preliminary way, to identify the minimum power requirement in iron ore slurry pipeline systems.

Experimental and rheological modelling on the stabilization of iron ore slurry using a biosurfactant extracted from Aloe barbadensis Miller

“…Moreover, the country's economy is also strongly influenced by the mining activities. So, special importance is highly recommended on rapid and inexpensive means for formulating and stabilising the slurry and to minimize the power requirements and increase energy sustainability [6]. Surfactants are amphiphilic in nature and have the unique property to reduce the surface tension when mixed with water.…”

Substantiation and selection of the design parameters of the hydroficated equipment complex for obtaining backfill mixtures from current enrichment tailings

“…Preparation of the mixture based on the current enrichment tailings involves several technological operations [21][22][23]: thickening of the tailing pulp in thickening devices to a high concentration of the solid phase; hydraulic transportation of the condensed mixture with the help of pumping equipment to the backfilling complexes of the mine into supply tanks [24][25][26]; dosing of condensed slurry in special activator devices and mixing the mixture with a binder material; delivery and placement of the prepared backfill mixture into the mine working [27][28][29].…”

Analysing the role of a bio-surfactant extracted from Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott on the stabilization of high concentrated iron ore slurry for transportation

“…In high solid concentration and due to increase in particle-particle interaction, the viscosity of the slurry increases and ultimately affects the power requirements for pumping during the pipeline transportation of slurry [7]. This recommends special importance for the rapid and inexpensive means of formulating and stabilising the slurry [8].…”