Dewatering Method And System
AssigneeWeir Minerals Australia Ltd.
InventorsNils Richard Steward, Dean Stephenson
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Abstract
The present invention relates to methods for dewatering tailings and systems for performing same. In certain aspects, the invention relates to methods of producing a dewatered tailings residue or a stackable tailings residue, comprising subjecting tailings to hydrocyclonic separation to produce one or more partially dewatered underflows and a final water-rich overflow; separating the final water-rich overflow, by centrifuging, into a recovered water stream and a low-water residue; and mixing together the low-water residue and at least part of the one or more partially dewatered underflows to produce a dewatered tailings residue or a stackable tailings residue.
Claims60
A method of producing a stackable tailings residue, comprising
- subjecting tailings to hydrocyclonic separation to produce one or more partially dewatered underflows and a final water-rich overflow;
- separating the final water-rich overflow, by centrifuging, into a recovered water stream and a low-water residue;
- and
- mixing together the low-water residue and at least part of the one or more partially dewatered underflows to produce a stackable tailings residue.
A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a process generated the tailings and the method comprises:
- providing the recovered water stream to the process for reuse.
A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the stackable tailings residue has a solids content of about 75 wt % to about 90 wt %.
A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the stackable tailings residue has a solids content of about 75 wt % to about 85 wt %.
A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the stackable tailings residue has a solids content of about 80 wt %.
A system for producing a stackable tailings residue, comprising
- a hydrocyclonic separation unit for subjecting tailings to hydrocyclonic separation to produce one or more partially dewatered underflows and a final water-rich overflow;
- a centrifuge unit comprising at least one centrifuge configured for separating the final water-rich overflow into a recovered water stream and a low-water residue;
- and
- a mixer for mixing together the low-water residue and at least part of the one or more partially dewatered underflows to produce a stackable tailings residue.
A method of producing a dewatered tailings residue, comprising
- subjecting tailings to hydrocyclonic separation to produce one or more partially dewatered underflows and a final water-rich overflow;
- separating the final water-rich overflow, by centrifuging, into a recovered water stream and a low-water residue;
- and
- mixing together the low-water residue and at least part of the one or more partially dewatered underflows to produce a dewatered tailings residue.
A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a process generated the tailings and the method comprises:
- providing the recovered water stream to the process for reuse.
A system for producing a dewatered tailings residue, comprising
- a hydrocyclonic separation unit for subjecting tailings to hydrocyclonic separation to produce one or more partially dewatered underflows and a final water-rich overflow;
- a centrifuge unit comprising at least one centrifuge configured for separating the final water-rich overflow into a recovered water stream and a low-water residue;
- and
- a mixer for mixing together the low-water residue and at least part of the one or more partially dewatered underflows to produce a dewatered tailings residue.
A method of producing a highly dewatered product, comprising:
- feeding an aqueous slurry or sludge to a hydrocyclone at a high feed inlet pressure, said aqueous slurry or sludge comprising particulate solid material;
- and
- subjecting the aqueous slurry or sludge to hydrocyclonic separation to produce an underflow and an overflow, said underflow being a highly dewatered product.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.