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Numerical study of flocculation settling and thickening of whole-tailings in deep cone thickener using CFD approach

深锥浓密机内全尾砂絮凝沉降与浓密的CFD模拟

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Abstract

Deep cone thickener (DCT) is the key equipment in cemented paste backfill (CPB), so it is essential to study the flocculation settling and thickening characteristics of the whole-tailings in DCT. Coupled with population balance model (PBM), computational fluid dynamics (CFD) was used to study the characteristics, namely particle size distribution (PSD) and underflow concentration in DCT. Based on actual production, the effects of rake rotational speed, feed rate and tailings slurry concentration were simulated and analyzed in a certain range. The PSD varied with rake rational speed, feed rate and tailings slurry concentration almost in the same trend, but the influence of feed rate was less than that of rake rational speed and tailings slurry concentration. The underflow concentration increased at first and then declined with rake rational speed and feed rate, but it rose and fell with the tailings slurry concentration. Finally, the optimal key parameters on the flocculation settling and thickening of the whole-tailings in DCT were obtained: rake rotational speed of 17 r/min, feed rate of 3.25 m3/h and tailings slurry concentration of 20%, giving the reference values to the industrial production in Baishitamu Copper Mine.

摘要

深锥浓密机是膏体充填的关键设备,研究其内部全尾砂絮凝沉降与浓密特性很有必要。本文将 CFD和群体平衡模型(PBM)进行耦合,用以研究深锥浓密机内的颗粒粒径分布(PSD)及其底流浓 度。基于生产实际,研究了耙架转速、进料流量、进料料浆浓度对PSD和底流浓度的影响。PSD随 着耙架转速、进料流量、进料料浆浓度的变化趋势几乎一致,但是进料流量的影响最小。底流浓度随 着耙架转速和进料流量先上升后减小,但是随着进料料浆浓度不断波动。最终,获得了最佳耙架转速、 进料流量、进料料浆浓度分别为17 r/mm、3.25 m3/h、20%,从而为拜什塔木铜矿的实际生产提供指 导。

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Civil & Resources Engineering, University of Science & Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China

    Ai-xiang Wu  (吴爱祥), Zhu-en Ruan  (阮竹恩), Cui-ping Li  (李翠平) & Jian-dong Wang  (王建栋)

  2. Key Laboratory of High-Efficient Mining and Safety of Metal Mines of the Ministry of Education, University of Science & Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China

    Ai-xiang Wu  (吴爱祥), Zhu-en Ruan  (阮竹恩), Cui-ping Li  (李翠平), Shao-yong Wang  (王少勇) & Yong Wang  (王勇)

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  1. Ai-xiang Wu  (吴爱祥)
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  2. Zhu-en Ruan  (阮竹恩)
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  4. Shao-yong Wang  (王少勇)
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Correspondence to Zhu-en Ruan  (阮竹恩) or Cui-ping Li  (李翠平).

Additional information

Foundation item: Project(2016YFC0600709) supported by the National Key R & D Program of China; Projects(51574013, 51774039) supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China; Project(FRF-TP-17-024A1) supported by the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities, China

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Wu, Ax., Ruan, Ze., Li, Cp. et al. Numerical study of flocculation settling and thickening of whole-tailings in deep cone thickener using CFD approach. J. Cent. South Univ. 26, 711–718 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11771-019-4041-7

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