Why small-scale testing of reagents goes wrong

Authors: Fawell, PD; Costine, AD; Grabsch, AF

DOI https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_rep/1504_10_Fawell

Cite As:
Fawell, PD, Costine, AD & Grabsch, AF 2015, 'Why small-scale testing of reagents goes wrong', in R Jewell & AB Fourie (eds), Paste 2015: Proceedings of the 18th International Seminar on Paste and Thickened Tailings, Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Perth, pp. 153-165, https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_rep/1504_10_Fawell

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Abstract:
Small-scale cylinder or jar tests are routinely applied to establish the impact of polymer reagents that induce aggregation in mineral systems. Despite their value, such tests are often done poorly or under too narrow a range of conditions, which can lead to trends being either missed or wrongly interpreted. A number of common errors are discussed, together with strategies to maximise the practical value of the results obtained.

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