Fluidizing means for reducing viscosity of slurries

A process of reducing the viscosity of a work hardened slurry of finely divided lateritic and/or limonitic nickel-cobalt ore having an pulp density of at least about 15% by weight of solids which comprises,

• gently mechanically agitating a mass of said work hardened slurry confined in a container whereby to cause relative movement between said mass and a contacting surface such that said mass is subjected to shear forces,
• the relative movement with respect to said contacting surface being at a selected linear velocity sufficient to provide shear forces in said agitated mass in contact therewith effective for reducing the viscosity to a desired level more than 50% below the original viscosity,
• and continuing said agitation at substantially said linear velocity until the viscosity has been reduced to said desired level.

A process of reducing the viscosity of a work hardened finely divided lateritic and/or limonitic ore slurry having a fibrous crystal structure in which the fibers are disoriented, said slurry having a pulp density of at least about 15% by weight of solids which comprises,

• gently mechanically agitating a mass of said work hardened slurry confined in a container whereby to cause relative movement between said mass and a contacting surface such that said mass is subjected to shear forces,
• the relative movement with respect to said contacting surface being at a selected linear velocity sufficient to provide shear forces in said agitated mass in contact therewith effective to align said disoriented fibers and reduce the viscosity to a desired level,
• and continuing said agitation at substantially said selected linear velocity to effect substantially the alignment of said fibers and reduce the viscosity to said desired level.

A process of reducing the viscosity of a work hardened slurry having a pulp density of at least 15% by weight of solids which comprises,

• gently mechanically agitating a mass of said work hardened slurry in a rotating cylinder rotating at less than critical speed, whereby to cause relative movement between said mass and the peripheral surface of said rotating cylinder such that said mass is subjected to shear forces,
• the movement of said peripheral surface being at a linear velocity sufficient to provide shear forces in said agitated mass effective for reducing the viscosity to a desired level more than 50% below the original viscosity,
• and continuing said agitation at substantially said linear velocity until the viscosity has been reduced to said desired level.