Effects of Tailings Gradation on Rheological Properties of Filling Slurry

Abstract

The key technology in filling mining is the gravity transportation of high-density slurries, and the filling system design is a significant part of this technology. The filling effect depends on the fluidity of the filling slurry. To investigate the influence of the gradation of tailings on the rheological properties of the filling slurry, this study uses particle size analysis to prepare three types of tailings: powder-, relatively fine-, and fine-grained tailings, which are then mixed in different proportions. The rheological properties of the resulting filling slurries are tested; the viscosity coefficients and yield stresses of the slurries are obtained using the analysis software provided with the MCR102 advanced rheometer that is used to measure the rheological properties of the slurries. The experimental results demonstrate that there is no absolute relationship between the rheological properties of the slurry and the size of the tailings particles, but the rheological properties are related to the gradation of tailings. Lubricating effect is weakened with an insufficient content of powder-grained particles in the tailings. On the contrary, when the content of powder-grained particles in the tailings is too high, the viscous substances in the slurry increase. Both of these conditions can increase the friction loss of the slurry.

Rheological properties of bauxite residue: the role of tailings gradation and solids concentration

“…change in microstructure due to restoration and reorganization of interparticle bonds, resulting in strength gain over longer resting times. A similar kind of observation was reported for red mud (Nguyen and Boger, [76], bentonite suspensions gold, copper, and iron tailings [78], and gold tailings [41]. For validation purpose, the results of Nguyen and Boger [76], who produced similar curves on the red mud, are superimposed.…”

“…Validating these statements, Coussot et al [29] observed an increase in yield stress on successive addition of coarser particles to the granular suspension, and Sosio and Crosta [40] noticed changes in the magnitude of rheological properties and rheological behaviour from shear thinning to shear thickening on expanding the particle sizes. On similar lines, Wang et al [41] concluded that the addition of powder-grained gold tailings particles above 40% can result in an increase in yield stress of the gold tailings. Nguyen et al [33] identified that when the percentage of clay fraction is 5-30% range in sand-clay mixtures, yield stress and viscosity increase exponentially, and change in moisture content shows prominent influence than the clay fraction on rheological properties.…”

Rheological Impact of Particle Size Gradation on GAP Propellant Slurries

“…In terms of the CL-20/AP/GAP propellant slurries with a given solid content of 65%, the frictional interaction between particles becomes the main factor influencing the rheological properties, while the thermal motion and the repulsive forces of particles are negligible. 24 When particle gradation technology is applied, potential effects are listed as follows: 10 , 25 (1) the finer particles with smooth surfaces act as the lubricant at the contact of particles, which can effectively weaken the frictional interactions between particles with sharp edges, and (2) the step-filling effect of micron-sized, ultrafine, and submicron-sized particles contributes to dense packing, resulting in a decrease in the content of liquids trapped in interparticle spaces, which is not conducive to the slurry flow. Hence, an attempt can be made to illustrate and evaluate the differences in the rheological properties of the slurries in terms of factors affecting the interparticle frictional interactions and particle packing density.…”

“…For instance, the |η*|-values are effectively reduced to a level that differs inconspicuously from that of the slurries where only AP is included. It follows that the size gradation of CL-20 is a valuable option for promoting the processability of the propellant slurries.In terms of the CL-20/AP/GAP propellant slurries with a given solid content of 65%, the frictional interaction between particles becomes the main factor influencing the rheological properties, while the thermal motion and the repulsive forces of particles are negligible 24. When particle gradation technology is applied, potential effects are listed as follows:10,25 (1) the finer particles with smooth surfaces act as the lubricant at the contact of particles, which can effectively weaken the frictional interactions between particles with sharp edges, and (2) the step-filling effect of micron-sized, ultrafine, and submicron-sized particles contributes to dense packing, resulting in a decrease in the content of liquids trapped in interparticle spaces, which is not conducive to the slurry flow.…”

Rheological Parameters and Transport Characteristics of Fresh Cement Tailings Backfill Slurry in an Underground Iron Mine

“…e open stope mining method is the most widely used underground mining method because of its high production capacity, but it has led to the creation of numerous goafs, which can cause serious safety problems, such as surface subsidence, rock bursts, and strata movement [1,2]. e filling mining method is usually adopted to handle the mined-out areas with tailings.…”