|
Authors: Fawell, PD; Farrow, JB; Heath, AR; Nguyen, TV; Owen, AT; Paterson, D; Rudman, M; Scales, PJ; Simic, K; Stephens, DW; Swift, JD; Usher, SP
|
DOI https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/963_7
Cite As:
Fawell, PD, Farrow, JB, Heath, AR, Nguyen, TV, Owen, AT, Paterson, D, Rudman, M, Scales, PJ, Simic, K, Stephens, DW, Swift, JD & Usher, SP 2009, '20 Years of AMIRA P266 “Improving Thickener Technology” — How has it Changed the Understanding of Thickener Performance?', in R Jewell, AB Fourie, S Barrera & J Wiertz (eds),
Paste 2009: Proceedings of the Twelfth International Seminar on Paste and Thickened Tailings, Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Perth, pp. 59-68,
https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/963_7
Abstract:
As the expectations for more consistent and higher density thickened and paste tailings increase, so do the
demands on thickener performance. Over the last 20 years, the AMIRA P266 “Improving Thickener
Technology” series of projects, have significantly advanced the understanding of thickening by combining
fundamental investigations of flocculation, advanced mathematical and computational modelling and pilot-
scale measurement/validation. This has produced unique tools for thickener design and optimisation. The
major outcomes from P266 over this 20 year period are reviewed.
References:
Baek, H.K., Park, N.S., Kim, J.H., Lee, S.J. and Shin, H.S. (2005) Examination of three-dimensional flow
characteristics in the distribution channel to the flocculation basin using computational fluid dynamics
simulation. Journal of Water Supply: Research and Technology – AQUA 54(6), pp. 349–354.
Brouckaert, C.J. and Buckley, C.A. (1999) The use of computational fluid dynamics for improving the design and
operation of water and wastewater treatment plants. Water Science and Technology 40(4-5), pp. 81–89.
Bürger, R., Bustos, M.C. and Concha, F. (1999) Settling velocities of particulate systems: 9. Phenomenological theory
of sedimentation processes: numerical simulation of the transient behaviour of flocculated suspensions in an
ideal batch or continuous thickener. International Journal of Mineral Processing 55, pp. 267–282.
Dixon, T., Mann, A., Hobson, P., Plaza, F., Pennesi, F. and Steindl, R. (2003) Application of CFD in the sugar industry.
Third International Conference on CFD in the Minerals and Process Industries, Melbourne, Australia, December
2003, pp. 77–86.
Farrow, J.B. and Swift, J.D. (1991) Improving thickener technology. Proceedings of the Fifth AusIMM Conf on
Extractive Metallurgy, Perth, Oct 1991, AusIMM, Parkville, pp. 227–232.
Farrow, J.B. and Swift, J.D. (1996a) A new procedure for assessing the performance of flocculants. International
Journal of Mineral Processing 46, pp. 263–275.
Farrow, J.B. and Swift, J.D. (1996b) Agitation and residence time effects during the flocculation of mineral
suspensions. Proceedings 4th International Alumina Quality Workshop, Vol. 2, Darwin, NT, June 1996.
pp. 355–363.
Farrow, J.B., Johnston, R.R.M., Simic, K. and Swift, J.D. (2000) Consolidation and aggregate densification during
gravity thickening. Chem. Eng. J., 80, pp. 141–148.
Flamant, O., Cockx, A., Guimet, V. and Doquang, Z. (2004) Experimental analysis and simulation of settling process.
Process Safety and Environmental Protection 82, pp. 312–318.
Gladman, B., de Kretser, R.G., Rudman. M. and Scales, P.J. (2005) Effect of shear on particulate suspension
dewatering. Chem. Eng. Res. Des., 83 (A7), pp. 933–936
Paste 2009, Viña del Mar, Chile 67
20 Years of AMIRA P266 “Improving Thickener Technology” — How has it Changed the Understanding P.D. Fawell et al.
of Thickener Performance?
Goula, A.M., Kostoglou, M., Karapantsios, T.D. and Zouboulis, A.I. (2008) A CFD methodology for the design of
sedimentation tanks in potable water treatment. Case study: The influence of a feed flow control baffle.
Chemical Engineering Journal 140, pp. 110–121.
Heath, A. (2002) The simulation of polymer aggregation/breakage at high solid fraction in turbulent flow by population
balance. Ph.D. thesis, Murdoch University, Perth, Australia.
Heath, A.R., Bahri, P.A., Fawell, P.D. and Farrow, J.B. (2006a) Polymer flocculation of calcite: Experimental results
from turbulent pipe flow. AIChE Journal 52, pp. 1284–1293.
Heath, A.R., Bahri, P.A., Fawell, P.D. and Farrow, J.B. (2006b) Polymer flocculation of calcite: Population balance
model. AIChE Journal 52, pp. 1641–1653.
Kahane, R.B., Schwarz, M.P. and Johnston, R.R.M. (2002) Residue thickener modelling at Worsley Alumina. Applied
Mathematical Modelling 26, pp. 281–296.
Kleine D. and Reddy, B.D. (2006) Finite element simulation of unsteady flows in secondary settling tanks. Fifth
International Conference on CFD in the Process Industries, Melbourne, Australia, December 2006.
Laine, S., Phan, L., Pellarin, P. and Robert, P. (1999) Operating diagnostics on a flocculator-settling tank using Fluent
CFD software. Water Science and Technology 39(4), pp. 155–162.
Martin, A.D. (2004) Optimisation of clarifier-thickeners processing stable suspensions for turn-up/turn-down. Water
Research 38. pp. 1568–1578.
Nguyen, T., Heath, A. and Witt, P. (2006) Population balance – CFD modelling of fluid flow, solids distribution and
flocculation in thickener feedwells. Fifth International Conference on CFD in the Process Industries, Melbourne,
Australia, December 2006.
Owen, A.T., Fawell, P.D. and Swift, J.D. (2007) The preparation and ageing of acrylamide/acrylate copolymer
flocculant solutions. International Journal of Mineral Processing 84, pp. 3–14.
Owen, A.T., Fawell, P.D., Swift, J.D., Labbett, D.M., Benn, F.A. and Farrow, J.B. (2008) Using turbulent pipe flow to
study the factors affecting polymer-bridging flocculation of mineral systems. International Journal of Mineral
Processing 87, pp. 90–99.
Peloquin, G., Bui, R.T., Kocaefe, D. and Simard, G. (2005) Modélisation mathématique de la décantation de la boue
rouge. The Canadian Journal of Chemical Engineering 83, pp. 458–465.
Rudman, M., Simic, K., Paterson, D.A., Strode, P., Brent, A. and Šutalo, I.D. (2008) Raking in gravity thickeners.
International Journal of Mineral Processing 86, pp. 114–130.
Scales, P.J., Gladman, B.J., Usher, S.P. and Rudman, M.J. (2006) New approaches to dewatering of suspensions in the
minerals industry Proceedings of XXIII International Mineral Processing Congress, Istanbul, Turkey, 3–8
September 2006, Onal, G., Acarkan, N., Celik, M.S. Arslan, F., Atesok, G., Guney, A., Sirkeci, A.A. Yuce, A.E.
and Perek, K.T. (eds), Promed Ltd, Istanbul, pp. 1637–1642.
Šutalo, I.D., Paterson, D.A. and Rudman, M. (2003) Flow visualisation and computational prediction in thickener rake
models. Minerals Engineering 16, pp. 93–102.
Swift, J.D., Simic, K., Johnston, R.R.M., Fawell, P.D. and Farrow J.B. (2004) A study of the polymer flocculation
reaction in a linear pipe with a focused beam reflectance measurement probe. International Journal of Mineral
Processing 73, pp. 103–118.
Svarovsky, L. (2000) Gravity clarification and thickening. Solid-Liquid Separation, 4th Edition, Svarovsky, L. (ed),
Butterworth-Heinemann, Oxford, pp. 166–190.
Templeton, M.R., Hofman, R. and Andrews, R.C. (2006) Case study comparisons of computational fluid dynamics
(CFD) modeling versus tracer testing for determining clearwell residence times in drinking water treatment.
Journal of Environmental Engineering and Science 5, pp. 529–536.
Triglavcanin, R.A. (2008) The heart of thickener performance. Paste 2008 – Proceedings of the Eleventh International
Seminar on Paste and Thickened Tailings, Fourie, A.B., Jewell, R.J., Slatter, P. and Paterson, A. (eds),
Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Perth, Australia, pp. 63–81.
Usher, S.P. and Scales, P.J. (2005) Steady state thickener modelling from the compressive yield stress and hindered
settling function. Chemical Engineering Journal 111, pp. 253–261.
Weiss, M., Plósz, B.G., Essemiani, K. and Meinhold, J. (2007) Suction-lift sludge removal and non-Newtonian flow
behaviour in circular secondary clarifiers: Numerical modelling and measurements. Chemical Engineering
Journal 132, pp. 241–255.
White, R.B., Šutalo, I.D. and Nguyen, T. (2003) Fluid flow in thickener feedwell models. Minerals Engineering, 16,
pp. 145–150.
Wood, M.G., Greenfield, P.F., Howes, T., Johns, M.R. and Keller, J. (1995) Computational fluid dynamics modelling
of wastewater ponds to improve design. Water Science and Technology 31(12), pp. 111–118.
68 Paste 2009, Viña del Mar, Chile