Efficient sedimentation method for tailings

Abstract

The invention discloses an efficient tailing settling method, relates to the technical field of tailing treatment, and aims to improve the tailing settling efficiency. The method comprises the following steps: arranging a communicated buffer pool at the edge of the outer side of a sedimentation pool; the method comprises the following steps: connecting a reagent adding unit in series with a tailing conveying main pipeline, quantitatively adding a flocculating agent, preliminarily mixing, and pumping tailing slurry into a buffer pool; a partition plate is fixed in the buffer pool, a pump outlet pipe extends into the pool, and the outlet end faces the partition plate, so that slurry directly impacts the partition plate; an overflow weir is arranged on the other side of the partition plate in the buffer pool, and slurry flows to the overflow weir after being impacted; guide plates perpendicular to the pool bottom are arranged in the slurry flowing direction at equal intervals; after kinetic energy of the slurry is reduced by the guide plate, the slurry stably overflows to the sedimentation tank through the overflow weir for gravity sedimentation. The slurry kinetic energy is reduced through the synergistic effect of the buffer pool, the partition plate and the guide plate, efficient flocculant mixing is achieved in combination with the agent adding unit, settling time is shortened, cost is reduced, and the device is suitable for mine tailing treatment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of tailings treatment technology, specifically to a method for efficient tailings settling. Background Technology

[0002] The mining and processing of mineral resources generates a large amount of tailings waste. The safe disposal and efficient utilization of tailings are crucial for green mining operations, directly impacting ecological safety and resource recovery efficiency. Currently, the mainstream tailings treatment method in the industry is gravity sedimentation separation in settling ponds. However, traditional processes have significant technical bottlenecks: First, when tailings are directly pumped into the settling pond, they carry high kinetic energy, causing severe disturbance of the slurry within the pond, disrupting the stability of the settling interface, and prolonging the settling period. Second, flocculants are typically added to accelerate particle agglomeration, but existing processes suffer from poor mixing uniformity between flocculants and tailings, easily leading to localized excessively high or insufficient concentrations. This not only reduces flocculation efficiency but also increases reagent consumption costs and subsequent treatment difficulties. Therefore, developing a tailings settling technology that combines kinetic energy reduction with efficient reagent mixing has become a pressing technical challenge for the industry. Summary of the Invention

[0003] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention provides a method for efficient tailings settling.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: a method for efficient settling of tailings, comprising the following steps:

[0005] Step 1: Set up a buffer pool at the outer edge of the settling tank, and the buffer pool is designed to be connected to the settling tank;

[0006] Step 2: Connect a reagent addition unit in series on the main tailings conveying pipeline. After quantitatively adding flocculant to the tailings through the reagent addition unit and initially mixing, pump the tailings slurry mixed with flocculant into the buffer tank.

[0007] Step 3: Install baffles inside the buffer tank, extend the pump outlet pipe into the buffer tank with the outlet end facing the baffle, so that the discharged tailings slurry directly impacts the baffle.

[0008] Step 4: Set up an overflow weir on the other side of the buffer pool near the baffle. The tailings slurry after impacting the baffle flows towards the overflow weir along a preset path in the buffer pool.

[0009] Step 5: Install multiple guide plates at equal intervals along the tailings flow direction in the buffer pool, with the guide plates perpendicular to the bottom surface of the buffer pool;

[0010] Step Six: After the tailings slurry has had its kinetic energy reduced by the guide plate, it flows smoothly through the overflow weir into the settling tank for subsequent gravity settling and separation operations.

[0011] Preferably, in step three, the partition is made of steel plate and is fixed to the bottom of the buffer pool by welding. The height of the partition is 80%-90% of the height of the buffer pool wall. The pump outlet pipe extends into the buffer pool to a distance of about 0.5-1.0m from the partition, with the outlet end facing the partition plate surface.

[0012] Preferably, in step five, the guide plate is made of the same steel plate material as the partition, and is vertically fixed to the bottom surface of the buffer pool. The height of the guide plate is 60%-70% of the height of the partition, the spacing between adjacent guide plates is 1.0-1.5m, and the number of guide plates is 3-5.

[0013] Preferably, in step two, the reagent addition unit includes a flocculant preparation tank, a metering pump, a static mixer, and an online concentration monitor; the flocculant preparation tank is a stainless steel tank with a volume of 5-10 m³, and a stirring device is installed inside the tank with a stirring speed of 60-80 r / min; the metering pump is a variable frequency screw pump with a flow rate adjustment range of 0-500 L / h, and a check valve is installed on its outlet branch pipe; the static mixer is a tubular static mixer with 6-8 mixing units, and the pipe diameter matches the main tailings conveying pipeline; the online concentration monitor is an ultrasonic concentration meter, installed on the main tailings conveying pipeline 2-3 m upstream of the metering pump outlet branch pipe connection point, with a detection accuracy of ±0.5%, and its signal output terminal is connected to the variable frequency control cabinet of the metering pump via a data cable.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, the present invention provides a method for efficient settling of tailings, which has the following beneficial effects:

[0015] 1. The buffer pool is designed to pre-reduce the kinetic energy of tailings, avoiding disturbance caused by high-energy tailings directly entering the settling tank, providing a stable flow field environment for settling and separation, and effectively shortening the settling cycle.

[0016] 2. The turbulence effect generated by the tailings impact baffle enhances the mixing uniformity of flocculant and tailings slurry, improves flocculation and agglomeration effect, reduces reagent waste, and further accelerates particle settling speed.

[0017] 3. The synergistic effect of the guide plate and the overflow weir realizes the stepwise reduction of the tailings kinetic energy, ensures that the slurry flow velocity into the settling tank is stable and controllable, and ensures the continuity of the settling interface and the stability of the settling effect.

[0018] 4. The reagent addition unit adopts a structure that combines online concentration monitoring and automatic metering and dosing. It can dynamically adjust the amount of flocculant according to the concentration of tailings slurry, avoid the error of manual dosing, further improve the efficiency of reagent utilization, and reduce the treatment cost.

[0019] 5. This method has a simple process flow, and the buffer tank and its internal components, as well as the reagent addition system, have a simple structure that is easy to process and install. It is highly compatible with the modification of existing tailings treatment systems, making it easy to promote and apply in industrial applications. It can significantly improve tailings treatment efficiency and reduce overall costs.

[0020] The above description is merely an overview of the technical solution of the present invention. In order to better understand the technical means of the present invention and to implement it according to the contents of the specification, the preferred embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Specific embodiments of the present invention are given in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0021] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and form part of this application, illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention and, together with their description, serve to explain the invention and do not constitute an undue limitation thereof. In the drawings:

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the efficient tailings settling method in this invention;

[0023] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the pharmaceutical addition unit in this invention.

[0024] In the diagram: 1. Settling tank; 2. Buffer tank; 3. Overflow weir; 4. Baffle plate; 5. Guide plate; 6. Tailings conveying main pipeline; 7. Flocculant preparation tank; 8. Metering pump; 9. Static mixer; 10. Online concentration monitor. Detailed Implementation

[0025] Please combine Figures 1 to 2 As shown, the present invention provides a method for efficient settling of tailings. The technical solution of the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to specific application cases.

[0026] Based on the existing layout of the settling pond 1 in the mine, a buffer pond 2 is constructed at a suitable location on its outer edge. The effective volume of the buffer pond 2 is determined according to the tailings processing volume to meet the pretreatment and retention requirements of the tailings within the buffer pond 2. The buffer pond 2 and the settling pond 1 are designed to be interconnected to ensure that the tailings slurry after buffering treatment can flow smoothly into the settling pond 1. An overflow weir 3 is installed at the connection between the buffer pond 2 and the settling pond 1. The height of the overflow weir 3 is set according to the height of the buffer pond 2 wall and the required liquid level after tailings pretreatment.

[0027] A baffle 4, made of steel plate, is fixedly installed at a designated location inside buffer tank 2 and welded firmly to the bottom surface of buffer tank 2 to ensure that it will not shift or deform when impacted by tailings slurry. The height of baffle 4 is set to 80%-90% of the height of the buffer tank wall to ensure that the tailings slurry forms an effective turbulent mixing zone after impacting baffle 4. The outlet pipe of the tailings conveying pump is extended into the interior of buffer tank 2, with the outlet end facing the side of baffle 4 and maintaining a distance of 0.5-1.0m between the outlet end and baffle 4. The outlet end is directly facing the surface of baffle 4 so that the discharged tailings slurry can directly impact baffle 4.

[0028] Multiple guide plates 5 are evenly spaced along the flow direction of the tailings slurry from the baffle 4 to the overflow weir 3 within the buffer tank 2. The guide plates 5 are made of the same steel plate material as the baffle 4 and are vertically fixed to the bottom surface of the buffer tank 2. The height of the guide plates 5 is 60%-70% of the height of the baffle 4, the spacing between adjacent guide plates 5 is 1.0-1.5m, and the number of guide plates 5 is set to 3-5. Through the blocking and guiding effect of the guide plates 5, the kinetic energy of the tailings slurry is gradually reduced.

[0029] The reagent addition unit consists of a flocculant preparation tank 7, a metering pump 8, a static mixer 9, and an online concentration monitor 10. The components are assembled and connected as follows:

[0030] The flocculant preparation tank 7 is a stainless steel tank with a volume of 5-10m³. The tank is equipped with a stirring device with a speed of 60-80r / min, which is used to stir and dissolve the solid flocculant with water to form a uniform flocculant solution.

[0031] The metering pump 8 is a variable frequency screw pump with a flow rate adjustment range of 0-500L / h. The inlet of the metering pump 8 is connected to the flocculant preparation tank 7 through a pipeline, and the outlet is connected to the tailings conveying main pipeline 6 through a branch pipe. A check valve is installed on the outlet branch pipe to prevent the tailings slurry from flowing back to the metering pump 8.

[0032] The static mixer 9 is a tubular static mixer with 6-8 mixing units. The pipe diameter is matched with the main tailings conveying pipeline 6. The static mixer 9 is installed downstream of the metering pump 8 outlet branch pipe connection point on the main tailings conveying pipeline 6.

[0033] The online concentration monitor 10 uses an ultrasonic concentration meter with a detection accuracy of ±0.5%. It is installed on the main tailings conveying pipeline 6, 2-3m upstream of the outlet branch connection point of the metering pump 8. The signal output terminal of the online concentration monitor 10 is connected to the frequency converter control cabinet of the metering pump 8 through a data cable to realize the automatic adjustment of the flocculant dosage.

[0034] Start the stirring device in flocculant preparation tank 7, add an appropriate amount of water and solid flocculant to the tank, and stir the tank at a speed of 60-80 r / min until the solid flocculant is completely dissolved to form a uniform flocculant solution. The online concentration monitor 10 monitors the concentration of tailings slurry in the main tailings conveying pipeline 6 in real time and transmits the detected concentration data to the frequency converter control cabinet of metering pump 8. The frequency converter control cabinet automatically adjusts the operating parameters of metering pump 8 according to the preset flocculant dosage ratio, so that metering pump 8 pumps the flocculant solution in flocculant preparation tank 7 into the main tailings conveying pipeline 6 in a metered manner.

[0035] The tailings slurry, mixed with flocculant, flows through the main tailings transport pipeline 6 to the static mixer 9, where it undergoes initial mixing via the mixing unit. After initial mixing, the tailings slurry is pumped into the buffer tank 2 by the tailings transport pump. Upon exiting the pump's outlet pipe, the slurry directly impacts the baffle 4, generating intense turbulent motion, ensuring thorough contact between the flocculant and tailings particles to form flocs. Subsequently, the tailings slurry flows through the channels between the guide plates 5 in the buffer tank 2 towards the overflow weir 3. During this flow, the guide plates 5 continuously reduce the kinetic energy of the tailings slurry, gradually decreasing its flow velocity. When the tailings slurry reaches the overflow weir 3, it smoothly overflows into the settling tank 1, where gravity sedimentation separation occurs. The supernatant is recyclable, while the underflow undergoes subsequent dewatering treatment.

[0036] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention in any way. Those skilled in the art can readily implement the present invention based on the accompanying drawings and the above description. However, any modifications, alterations, or variations made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention, utilizing the disclosed technical content, are equivalent embodiments of the present invention. Furthermore, any modifications, alterations, or variations made to the above embodiments based on the essential technology of the present invention are still within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for efficient settling of tailings, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: Step 1: Set up a buffer pool (2) on the outer edge of the sedimentation pool (1), and the buffer pool (2) is connected to the sedimentation pool (1); Step 2: Connect the reagent addition unit in series on the main tailings conveying pipeline. After quantitatively adding flocculant to the tailings through the reagent addition unit and initially mixing, pump the tailings slurry mixed with flocculant into the buffer tank (2). Step 3: Install baffle (4) inside the buffer tank (2), extend the pump outlet pipe into the buffer tank (2) and face the baffle (4) side, so that the discharged tailings slurry directly impacts the baffle (4). Step 4: Set up an overflow weir (3) on the other side of the buffer pool (2) near the partition (4). The tailings slurry after impacting the partition (4) flows towards the overflow weir (3) along a preset path in the buffer pool (2). Step 5: Multiple guide plates (5) are set at equal intervals along the tailings flow direction in the buffer pool (2), and the guide plates (5) are perpendicular to the bottom surface of the buffer pool (2); Step 6: After the tailings slurry is reduced by the kinetic energy of the guide plate (5), it flows smoothly through the overflow weir (3) into the settling tank (1) for subsequent gravity settling and separation operations.

2. The efficient tailings settling method according to claim 1, characterized in that: In step three, the partition (4) is made of steel plate and is fixed to the bottom of the buffer pool (2) by welding. The height of the partition (4) is 80%-90% of the height of the buffer pool (2) wall. The pump outlet pipe extends to the buffer pool (2) at a distance of about 0.5-1.0m from the partition (4), and the outlet end is directly opposite the surface of the partition (4).

3. The efficient tailings settling method according to claim 1, characterized in that: In step five, the guide plate (5) is made of the same steel plate material as the partition plate (4) and is vertically fixed to the bottom surface of the buffer pool (2). The height of the guide plate (5) is 60%-70% of the height of the partition plate (4). The spacing between adjacent guide plates (5) is 1.0-1.5m, and the number of guide plates (5) is 3-5 pieces.

4. The efficient tailings settling method according to claim 1, characterized in that: In step two, the reagent addition unit includes a flocculant preparation tank (7), a metering pump (8), a static mixer (9), and an online concentration monitor (10). The flocculant preparation tank (7) is a stainless steel tank with a volume of 5-10 m³, and a stirring device is installed inside the tank. The stirring speed is 60-80 r / min. The metering pump (8) is a variable frequency screw pump with a flow rate adjustment range of 0-500 L / h. A check valve is installed on its outlet branch pipe. The static mixer (9) is a tubular static mixer with 6-8 mixing units. The pipe diameter matches the tailings conveying main pipeline (6). The online concentration monitor (10) is an ultrasonic concentration meter, installed on the tailings conveying main pipeline (6) 2-3 m upstream of the metering pump (8) outlet branch pipe access point. The detection accuracy is ±0.5%. Its signal output terminal is connected to the variable frequency control cabinet of the metering pump (8) through a data cable.

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