A. A. Baikov Institute of Metallurgy and Materials Science of Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia:

N. V. Serova, Senior Researcher
M. P. Lysykh, Acting Researcher
T. V. Olyunina, Acting Senior Researcher, e-mail: toliun@yandex.ru

MMC “Norilsk Nickel”, Norilsk, Russia:
V. T. Dyachenko, Head of a Department of Industrial and Technical Development

“SNF Baltreagent” JSC, Saint Petersburg, Russia:
M. V. Nefedeva, Specialist

Results of exploration of rheological and sedimentation properties, and also process of a thickening of suspensions of the oxygenated nickel ore (ONO) depending on the contents of a solid phase and coarseness of ore are in-process resulted. It has been investigated four hallmarks of ore of three various deposits. Hallmarks differed on reduction ratio (centre particle size from 0.027 to 0.111 mm) and on composition. Proceeding from chemical and mineral composition of hallmarks, they can be referred to blended type ОNO. Rheological behaviour studied by means of the rotational viscosimeter, and thickening process — by known techniques in vertical cylinders. The obtained data allows to refer to mining suspensions to the is conditional-plastic structured systems which current is characterised by a yield stress and value of plastic viscosity. Linkage of parametres of a thickening with flow characteristics is shown. Suspensions of three larger hallmarks ОNO with the contents about 30% of the solid have comprehensible parametres of a thickening: speed of a thickening of 0.56–1.2 m/days; capacity 0.46–0.8 t/(m²·day). At concentration of the condensed bed from 47 to 50% depending on fineness of ore, i.e. depth of crushing. Rheological behaviour which are of great importance for transportation processes, masso- and heat interchange, also are favorable. Values of effective viscosity at speed of twirl of the rabble more than 20 с^–1 make from 3 to 8 МPа·s. Exclusion is made by the smallest hallmark in which the class-room contents –0.05 the mm makes 95%. It is characterised by high values of rheological constants and low parametres of a thickening. The obtained data allows to draw a leading-out that at rehash silicate ОNO blended type for reception of mining suspensions with comprehensible rheological and sedimentation properties the ore degradation should be led to the classroom contents –0.05 mm no more than 60–70%. Thus concentration of an ore pulp to 30–35% is admissible.

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