Reconstructed rheometer for direct monitoring of dewatering performance and torque in tailings thickening process

Yong Wang; Ai-xiang Wu; Zhu-en Ruan; Zhi-hui Wang; Zong-su Wei; Gang-feng Yang; Yi-ming Wang

doi:10.1007/s12613-020-2116-y

Volume 27 Issue 11

Nov. 2020

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Article Navigation > International Journal of Minerals, Metallurgy and Materials > 2020 > 27(11): 1430-1437

Yong Wang, Ai-xiang Wu, Zhu-en Ruan, Zhi-hui Wang, Zong-su Wei, Gang-feng Yang, and Yi-ming Wang, Reconstructed rheometer for direct monitoring of dewatering performance and torque in tailings thickening process, Int. J. Miner. Metall. Mater., 27(2020), No. 11, pp. 1430-1437. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-020-2116-y

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Yong Wang, Ai-xiang Wu, Zhu-en Ruan, Zhi-hui Wang, Zong-su Wei, Gang-feng Yang, and Yi-ming Wang, Reconstructed rheometer for direct monitoring of dewatering performance and torque in tailings thickening process, Int. J. Miner. Metall. Mater., 27(2020), No. 11, pp. 1430-1437. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-020-2116-y

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Research Article

Reconstructed rheometer for direct monitoring of dewatering performance and torque in tailings thickening process

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Corresponding authors:
Ai-xiang Wu E-mail: wuaixiang@126.com

Zhu-en Ruan E-mail: ziyuan0902rze@163.com
Received: 29 March 2020; Revised: 14 May 2020; Accepted: 8 June 2020; Available online: 10 June 2020

Abstract

Abstract

To further clarify the dewatering performance and torque evolution during the tailings thickening process, a self-made rake was connected to a rheometer to monitor the shear stress and torque. The dewatering performance of the total tailings was greatly improved to a solid mass fraction of 75.33% in 240 min. The dewatering process could be divided into three stages: the rapid torque growth period, damping torque growth period, and constant torque thickening zone. The machine restart was found to have a significant effect on the rake torque; it could result in rake blockage. Furthermore, the simultaneous evolution of the torque and solid mass fraction of thickened tailings was analyzed. A relationship between the torque and the solid mass fraction was established, which followed a power function. Both the experimental and theoretical results provide a reference for the deep cone thickener design and operation to enhance the dewatering performance.
- tailings;
- dewatering;
- rake;
- reconstructed rheometer;
- torque monitoring

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