Abstract: The trouble-free and efficient operation of paste thickeners requires an optimal design and the cooperation of each component. When underflow discharging is suspended, alleviating the vast torque that the remaining solids within the thickeners may place on rakes mainly lies in the circulation unit. The mechanism of this unit was analyzed, and a mathematical model was developed to describe the changes in underflow solid content and yield stress. The key parameters of the circulation unit, namely, the height and flow rate, were varied to test its performance in the experiments with a self-designed laboratorial thickening system. Results show that the circulation unit is valid in reducing underflow solid fraction and yield stress to a reasonable extent, and the model could be used to describe its efficiency at different heights and flow rates. A suitable design and application of the circulation unit contributes to a cost-effective operation of paste thickeners.