Tethering Material for Fine Particulate Removal in Mining Tailings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fine particulate matter in aqueous environments, such as tailings from mining processes, is difficult to separate due to high water retention and mechanical instability during transport, leading to inefficient dewatering and recycling of water.
Innovation Solution
A system involving an initial separator to distinguish fine and coarse particulate matter, followed by the introduction of tethering and activating materials to form removable complexes, which are then settled out, enhancing the mechanical stability and separability of fine particulates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If fine particulate matter is separated from aqueous environment using conventional methods, then some separation is achieved, but the materials retain significant amounts of water and require energy-intensive dewatering processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a tethering material as an intermediary substance that bridges fine and coarse particulate matter. This mediator enables the fine particles to attach to coarse particles, forming larger aggregates that settle more efficiently and retain less water, thereby reducing the energy required for dewatering operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates composite particulate structures by combining fine particulate matter with coarse particulate matter through tethering materials. These composite aggregates have improved settling characteristics and lower water retention compared to fine particles alone, eliminating the need for energy-intensive dewatering processes.
2Stability of the object's composition
If coagulation and flocculation methods are used to treat tailings, then solids are formed, but the aggregates degrade under mechanical stress during transport, forming stratified deposits and resuspending fines
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies tethering treatment in advance during the separation process, creating robust aggregates before transport. This preliminary strengthening of the aggregate structure ensures that the particles can withstand the mechanical stresses of pumping and high-shear transport without degrading or stratifying.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical-chemical parameters of the particulate matter by introducing tethering materials that modify the surface properties and interaction forces between particles. This parameter change creates aggregates with enhanced mechanical strength and stability that resist degradation under transport conditions.
3Ease of operation
If centrifugal pumps or positive displacement pumps are used to transport slurries, then transport is achieved, but shear stress breaks apart solid aggregates, preventing desired separation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies tethering treatment to pre-strengthen aggregates before they encounter pump-induced shear stresses. This preliminary reinforcement creates a counteracting force that resists the breaking apart of aggregates during pumping, allowing standard centrifugal or positive displacement pumps to transport slurries without compromising aggregate integrity.
4Quantity of substance
If tailings are stored in tailings ponds for settling, then fine particles eventually settle, but the process takes years and water is not suitable for recycling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies tethering treatment as a preliminary action that pre-aggregates fine particles with coarse particles, dramatically accelerating the settling process. Instead of requiring years of passive settling in tailings ponds, the treated slurry settles rapidly in settling facilities, enabling water recycling within days or hours rather than years.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method effectively removes fine particulate matter from fluids, improving the mechanical stability and dewatering efficiency of tailings, allowing for more effective recycling of water and stable deposition of solids.
Implementation Method 1
a tether injector that introduces into the underflow path a tethering material capable of being affixed to the coarse particulate matter
Implementation Method 2
an activator injector that introduces into the conjoined fluid stream an activating material capable of being affixed to the fine particulate matter to form activated particles, said activated particles interacting with the tether-bearing anchor particles to form removable complexes
Implementation Method 3
a settling facility, where the removable complexes are separated from the conjoined treated fluid stream
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are systems and methods for removing fine particulate matter from a fluid, comprising a separator that separates an inflow fluid stream into an overflow fluid path and an underflow fluid path, where the underflow fluid path is treated with a tethering material that attaches to the coarse particulate matter to form tether-bearing anchor particles and where the overflow fluid path is treated with an activating material so that the activating material interacts with the fine particulate matter to form activated particles. After these treatments, the underflow fluid path containing the tether-bearing anchor particles is commingled with the overflow fluid path containing the activated particles, so that a removable complex is produced that can be removed in a settling facility, thereby removing the fine particulate matter from the fluid. The systems and methods are particularly advantageous for removing particulate matter from a fluid waste stream following mining or ore processing operations, such as oil sands mining or processing.