Flocculation and Settlement Characteristics of Ultrafine Tailings and Microscopic Characteristics of Flocs

Aiming to solve the problems related to the slow settling speed and the long-term consumption of ultra-fine tailings in mine filling, the effect of flocculant type on the flocculation and settling performance of ultra-fine tailings was studied through static sedimentation experiments on tailings. Th...

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Main Authors: Chongchong Han, Yuye Tan, Lishen Chu, Weidong Song, Xin Yu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2022-02-01
Series:Minerals
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/12/2/221
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author Chongchong Han
Yuye Tan
Lishen Chu
Weidong Song
Xin Yu
author_facet Chongchong Han
Yuye Tan
Lishen Chu
Weidong Song
Xin Yu
author_sort Chongchong Han
collection DOAJ
description Aiming to solve the problems related to the slow settling speed and the long-term consumption of ultra-fine tailings in mine filling, the effect of flocculant type on the flocculation and settling performance of ultra-fine tailings was studied through static sedimentation experiments on tailings. The microstructure of the flocculation was observed and analyzed using an electron microscope. On this basis, the selection of the optimum flocculant type and dosage parameters was carried out. The results show that the best addition amount of the AZ9020 anionic flocculant was 30 g/t, a solution concentration of 0.3%, and a stirring time of more than 45 min. The floc structure of the full-tailings flocculation solution was formed by the AZ9020 anionic flocculant. Moreover, the size of less than 0.1 μm was still relatively large; thus, the overall size of the structure was small and uniformly dispersed. The floc solution had the smallest porosity, the fractal dimension was the largest, the molecular weight of the floc was the largest, and the floc was the most compact, making it appropriate for the rapid removal of floc structures from water. Sedimentation is also the best flocculant for flocculation and sedimentation. The size of the flocs decreased as the height of the flocculation sediment bed increased during flocculation and sedimentation. The research results provide a microscopic view for the selection of the best flocculant type.
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spelling doaj.art-0c38c89439954cb99e739f84e2ca26e32023-11-23T21:18:45ZengMDPI AGMinerals2075-163X2022-02-0112222110.3390/min12020221Flocculation and Settlement Characteristics of Ultrafine Tailings and Microscopic Characteristics of FlocsChongchong Han0Yuye Tan1Lishen Chu2Weidong Song3Xin Yu4State Key Laboratory of High-Efficient Mining and Safety of Metal Mines of Ministry of Education, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, ChinaState Key Laboratory of High-Efficient Mining and Safety of Metal Mines of Ministry of Education, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, ChinaDaye Iron Mine Co., Ltd., Wuhan Iron and Steel Resources Group, Huangshi 435006, ChinaState Key Laboratory of High-Efficient Mining and Safety of Metal Mines of Ministry of Education, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, ChinaState Key Laboratory of High-Efficient Mining and Safety of Metal Mines of Ministry of Education, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, ChinaAiming to solve the problems related to the slow settling speed and the long-term consumption of ultra-fine tailings in mine filling, the effect of flocculant type on the flocculation and settling performance of ultra-fine tailings was studied through static sedimentation experiments on tailings. The microstructure of the flocculation was observed and analyzed using an electron microscope. On this basis, the selection of the optimum flocculant type and dosage parameters was carried out. The results show that the best addition amount of the AZ9020 anionic flocculant was 30 g/t, a solution concentration of 0.3%, and a stirring time of more than 45 min. The floc structure of the full-tailings flocculation solution was formed by the AZ9020 anionic flocculant. Moreover, the size of less than 0.1 μm was still relatively large; thus, the overall size of the structure was small and uniformly dispersed. The floc solution had the smallest porosity, the fractal dimension was the largest, the molecular weight of the floc was the largest, and the floc was the most compact, making it appropriate for the rapid removal of floc structures from water. Sedimentation is also the best flocculant for flocculation and sedimentation. The size of the flocs decreased as the height of the flocculation sediment bed increased during flocculation and sedimentation. The research results provide a microscopic view for the selection of the best flocculant type.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/12/2/221ultrafine tailingflocculating sedimentationfloc microstructurefractal dimensiongray value
spellingShingle Chongchong Han
Yuye Tan
Lishen Chu
Weidong Song
Xin Yu
Flocculation and Settlement Characteristics of Ultrafine Tailings and Microscopic Characteristics of Flocs
Minerals
ultrafine tailing
flocculating sedimentation
floc microstructure
fractal dimension
gray value
title Flocculation and Settlement Characteristics of Ultrafine Tailings and Microscopic Characteristics of Flocs
title_full Flocculation and Settlement Characteristics of Ultrafine Tailings and Microscopic Characteristics of Flocs
title_fullStr Flocculation and Settlement Characteristics of Ultrafine Tailings and Microscopic Characteristics of Flocs
title_full_unstemmed Flocculation and Settlement Characteristics of Ultrafine Tailings and Microscopic Characteristics of Flocs
title_short Flocculation and Settlement Characteristics of Ultrafine Tailings and Microscopic Characteristics of Flocs
title_sort flocculation and settlement characteristics of ultrafine tailings and microscopic characteristics of flocs
topic ultrafine tailing
flocculating sedimentation
floc microstructure
fractal dimension
gray value
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/12/2/221
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