National Mineral Resources University (Mining University):

Aleksandrov V. I., Doctor of Engineering Sciences, Head of Chair, Professor, victalex@mail.ru

Avksentyev S. Yu., Ph. D. in Engineering Sciences, Associate Professor, avksentiev@mail.ru

Head losses and mean flow velocity of slurry are integral hydrotransport characteristics that determine operational efficiency of hydrotransport system. The paper gives an estimate to the hydrotransport system operating in the territory of the Russian Federation in order to transport ore-dressing tailings. With a view to increase hydrotransport efficiency, it is recommended to thicken ore-dressing tailings slurry to solids mass fraction within the range from 65.7 to 69.9 %, which corresponds to volume fraction of 39–44.5 %, and also change pumping equipment. The Kolskaya Mine-and-Mill copper-nickel ore processing tailings particle-size distribution and mineral composition are presented. Changes in slurry properties, occurring with solids concentration increase, are considered. It is revealed, that increase in solid phase concentration leads to changes in both qualitative (viscoplastic), and quantitative (increase in specific head losses) characteristics of slurries in question. With that, transformation from ordinary slurry to high-concentration thickened slurries and pastes takes place. Transition from one type of concentrated slurry to another with respect to thickening is characterized by decrease in liquidity or increase in viscosity. The paper presents the results of the Zhezkazgan Mine-and-Mill copper ore processing tailings slurries laboratory testing, the slurries’ characteristics being similar to the Kola ore processing tailings slurries. The paper also presents a preliminary estimation of specific energy losses in the Kolskaya Mine-and-Mill oredressing tailings high-concentration slurries hydrotransport, accomplished by means of the method, developed for viscoplastic slurries.

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