US 2019/0241453 A1 · Control System And An Adaptive Electrokinetic Dewatering System Incorporating Same For Dewatering Tailings

Abstract

An adaptive electrokinetic dewatering system for dewatering slurry and soil deposits, including tailings deposits and a control system therefor. The control system automatically determines an optimal applied power specification, including sets of power parameters to be applied to the deposit being dewatered and when to apply each set of power parameters during the electrokinetic dewatering process. Furthermore, the control system automatically adjusts the applied power specification throughout the course of the dewatering process to account for the changing properties of the deposit. The control system determines the applied power specifications and adjustments to be made to them by simulating the electrokinetic dewatering process using a simulator which incorporates the latest measurements of the electrical, physical and chemical properties of the deposit being dewatered. The control system uses the simulator to forecast the dewatering performances of alternative applied power specifications and selects and applies the alternative applied power specification having a forecast dewatering performance that satisfies one or more switching criteria set by an operator.

Claims38

Dependent claims

A control system for use in an electrokinetic dewatering system for dewatering a deposit said control system comprising:

inputs and outputs;
a programmed central processor;
wherein said inputs include at least:
sensor data from at least one sensor positioned in said deposit and adapted to measure present properties of said deposit;
and
an optimal applied power schedule including a series of applied power specifications with switching criteria for each applied power specifications indicating when a new applied power specification should be applied;
and
wherein said programmed central processor is configured to:
a) simulate an electrokinetic dewatering process applied to said deposit based on said sensor data;
b) generate at least one alternative applied power specification, that when used in said simulation, satisfies said one or more of the switching criteria;
and
c) select the said at least one alternative applied power specification that best satisfies said one or more switching criteria;
and
wherein said outputs include an applied power specification and commands for controlling said electrokinetic dewatering system in accordance with said applied power specification.

11 more elements

A method of adaptively dewatering a deposit using an electrokinetic dewatering process, said method comprising the steps of:

a) determining one or more dewatering performance criteria;
b) measuring present properties of said deposit being dewatered;
c) evaluating the current applied power specification relative to these performance criteria and making a determination if the applied power specification is appropriate;
d) generating at least one alternative applied power specification;
e) simulating said electrokinetic dewatering process applied to said deposit based on said present properties of said deposit and said at least one alternative applied power specification and generating a forecast dewatering performance based on said simulation;
f) determining whether said forecast dewatering performance of said at least one alternative applied power specification satisfies said one or more switching criteria;
g) if so, selecting an optimal one of said at least one alternative applied power setting that has the best forecast dewatering performance for use in said electrokinetic dewatering process, otherwise repeating said steps b) to f);
and
h) providing an applied power specification based on said optimal alternative applied power specification and controlling said electrokinetic dewatering process in accordance with said applied power specification.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Control System And An Adaptive Electrokinetic Dewatering System Incorporating Same For Dewatering Tailings

Life of this patent

Control System And An Adaptive Electrokinetic Dewatering System Incorporating Same For Dewatering Tailings

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims38