Abstract: A system and method for tailings disposal is disclosed. A coarse tailings feed stream and a coarse tailings crusher for crushing the coarse tailings feed stream is provided. A crushed coarse tailings stream may be produced by the coarse tailings crusher, and a disposal stream comprising the crushed coarse tailings stream may be discarded as geotechnically stable waste product. The system and method may further provide a fine tailings stream and a thickener configured to thicken/dewater the fine tailings stream and produce a thickener underflow fine tailings stream. The system and method may provide a mixer configured to mix the thickener underflow fine tailings stream and the crushed coarse tailings stream to form a combined tailings disposal stream. Dewatering apparatus may also be provided.

Abstract: A system and method for tailings disposal is disclosed. A coarse tailings feed stream and a coarse tailings crusher for crushing the coarse tailings feed stream is provided. A crushed coarse tailings stream may be produced by the coarse tailings crusher, and a disposal stream comprising the crushed coarse tailings stream may be discarded as geotechnically stable waste product. The system and method may further provide a fine tailings stream and a thickener configured to thicken/dewater the fine tailings stream and produce a thickener underflow fine tailings stream. The system and method may provide a mixer configured to mix the thickener underflow fine tailings stream and the crushed coarse tailings stream to form a combined tailings disposal stream. Dewatering apparatus may also be provided.

Abstract: In a feed dilution system and method for a thickener or settling tank, a feed pipe nozzle has a variable orifice configured to provide an infeed slurry flow stream of substantially constant velocity. The feed pipe orifice is disposed in a mixing conduit proximate an upstream end thereof, while a downstream end of the mixing conduit is functionally attached to a feedwell inside the thickener or settling tank, so that the mixing conduit communicates with the feedwell. Where a diluting liquid is introduced into the mixing conduit, the variable-orifice nozzle ensures a substantially uniform degree of dilution of the influent slurry feed stream by the diluting liquid.

Abstract: In a feed dilution system and method for a thickener or settling tank, a feed pipe nozzle has an outlet opening or orifice configured to generate an initial stream of slurry from the feed pipe into an upstream end of a mixing conduit wherein the stream is extended from a first side of the mixing conduit to a substantially opposite second side in a first direction transverse to the mixing conduit so as to enhance entrainment of dilution fluid flow into the slurry stream and concomitantly produce a substantially uniform solids concentration across a stream flowing from the mixing conduit into the feedwell. The outlet opening is generally shaped asymmetrically towards a third side of the mixing conduit in a second direction transverse to the mixing conduit so as to bias the initial stream of slurry towards the one side, where the second direction is substantially perpendicular to the first direction.

Abstract: A sludge or slurry physical stabilizing method combines coarse particles with a slurry of fine particles to generate a composite slurry having a substantially predetermined ratio of coarse particles to fine particles. The composite slurry can then be diluted, flocculated and dewatered. Superabsorbent polymer (SAP) is mixed in with the dewatered composite slurry in an amount effective to produce a somewhat friable, semi-solid conveyable composition of sufficient strength to enable transport, stacking and support of restored overburden at a mining site.

Abstract: A sludge or slurry physical stabilizing method combines coarse particles with a slurry of fine particles to generate a composite slurry having a substantially predetermined ratio of coarse particles to fine particles. The composite slurry can then be diluted, flocculated and/or dewatered. Superabsorbent polymer (SAP) is mixed in with the dewatered composite slurry in an amount effective to produce a shear stable, non-segregating conveyable composition of sufficient strength to enable pumping, transport and placement at a mining site or tailings disposal site.

Abstract: A feedwell dilution system for diluting an influent feed stream, which include at least one eductor assembly, and a feedwell assembly. The at least one eductor assembly includes a feed pipe which converges to a narrow throat portion or nozzle; a mix tube positioned downstream from the narrow throat portion that is sized and configured to provide mixing of the influent feed stream and a clarified liquid drawn from a settling tank; and an enclosure, which is installed around the narrow throat portion and an inlet portion of the mix tube and includes an open-ended portion on a bottom thereof, which is sized and configured to allow a clarified liquid to be pulled into the mix tube from below the inlet portion of the mix tube. The feedwell assembly is sized and configured to receive the mixture of the influent feed stream and the clarified liquid from the mix tube.

Abstract: A feedwell dilution system for diluting an influent feed stream, which include at least one eductor assembly, and a feedwell assembly. The at least one eductor assembly includes a feed pipe which converges to a narrow throat portion or nozzle; a mix tube positioned downstream from the narrow throat portion that is sized and configured to provide mixing of the influent feed stream and a clarified liquid drawn from a settling tank; and an enclosure, which is installed around the narrow throat portion and an inlet portion of the mix tube and includes an open-ended portion on a bottom thereof, which is sized and configured to allow a clarified liquid to be pulled into the mix tube from below the inlet portion of the mix tube. The feedwell assembly is sized and configured to receive the mixture of the influent feed stream and the clarified liquid from the mix tube.

Abstract: A self-diluting feedwell for a thickener or settling tank includes a delivery pipe for providing an influent feed stream of slurry, a nozzle for directionally discharging the influent feed stream, and an eductor structure including a launder zone for receiving the nozzle discharge, a throat zone for creating a reduced pressure area for eduction of diluent into the launder zone, and a discharge zone for dispensing the diluted influent into a thickener or settling tank.

Abstract: A self-diluting feedwell for a thickener or settling tank includes a delivery pipe for providing an influent feed stream of slurry, a nozzle for directionally discharging the influent feed stream, and an eductor structure including a launder zone for receiving the nozzle discharge, a throat zone for creating a reduced pressure area for eduction of diluent into the launder zone, and a discharge zone for dispensing the diluted influent into a thickener or settling tank.

Abstract: A self-diluting feedwell for a thickener or settling tank includes a delivery pipe for providing an influent feed stream of slurry, a nozzle for directionally discharging the influent feed stream, and an eductor structure including a launder zone for receiving the nozzle discharge, a throat zone for creating a reduced pressure area for eduction of diluent into the launder zone, and a discharge zone for dispensing the diluted influent into a thickener or settling tank.

Abstract: An improved method for dewatering thin slurries of very fine clay or clay-like material to yield high solids content filter cake, for example, 40% solids and greater, by the use of flocculating agent combinations involving polyethylene oxide-type flocculating agents and polyacarylamide-type flocculating agents. The method generally involves admixing the combination of flocculating agents with the slurry, dewatering the slurry by means of a mechanical dewatering apparatus and feeding the thickened slurry to a belt press filter.

Abstract: A method for separating the exinite group macerals from the total coal by froth flotation in the presence of at least one short chain alcohol frothing agent and at least one methyl polyglycol type frothing agent in a first froth flotation zone to produce an exinite and other coal maceral-rich stream which is thereafter subjected to froth flotation in a second froth flotation zone in the presence of a short chain alcohol frothing agent to produce an exinite group maceral-rich stream and a stream rich in other coal macerals with the exinite-rich stream thereafter being mixed with an additional quantity of a short chain alcohol frothing agent and passed to a third froth flotation zone to produce an exinite group maceral group concentrate stream which is thereafter processed to produce a particulate exinite maceral group concentrate.