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Oscillatory rheometry to characterize polymer flocculation of fluid fine tailings

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Abstract

Polymeric flocculation represents a widely used approach to accelerate consolidation of fluid fine tailings (FFTs), generated by mining bitumen from oil sands. Questions remain, however, regarding the structure produced by polymer addition, and its evolution over time. Dynamic strain amplitude sweep tests on undisturbed specimens show that flocculation leads to an improvement in stiffness and strength, delays yield, and modifies the damping properties. These effects are attributed to the percolated network formed as the polymer aggregates mineral particles, and further bridges these aggregates. This structure dominates the response of the material and controls the solid-to-fluid transition, which has characteristics typical of a highly networked system. Increasing disturbance causes rapid and irreversible degradation of the response, evidence of the sensitivity of the structure. The data for FFTs from two tailings ponds demonstrate the uniqueness of these materials with differences observed in the response before and after flocculation, and in the water release process.

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Funding

The authors gratefully acknowledge funding from Canada’s Oil Sands Innovation Alliance (COSIA).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Lyles School of Civil Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA

    Mohammadhasan Sasar & Marika Santagata

  2. Department of Agronomy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA

    Cliff T. Johnston

  3. Applied Research Centre for Oil Sands Sustainability, Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, 9413 20 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB, T6N 1E5, Canada

    Heather Kaminsky

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  1. Mohammadhasan Sasar
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  2. Cliff T. Johnston
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  4. Marika Santagata
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Correspondence to Marika Santagata.

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Sasar, M., Johnston, C.T., Kaminsky, H. et al. Oscillatory rheometry to characterize polymer flocculation of fluid fine tailings. Rheol Acta 60, 457–479 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00397-021-01276-2

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