Effects of mechanical treatment and chemical addition on air drying of oilsand fine tails

Natural drying was investigated as a possible method for removing water fro m oil sand fine tails. Samples of fine tails were placed in beakers and the ir weight was monitored over the period of 54 days. The weight loss vs, tim e curves displayed typical drying behavior characterized by a constant dryi ng rate period followed by a falling rate period after reaching a critical moisture content. Mechanical treatment, including forced air circulation an d constant stirring greatly accelerated the drying process, while intermitt ent stirring did not. Addition of chemicals (sulphuric acid, sodium hydroxi de and lime) affected the visual appearance of the fine tails with very lit tle effect on drying rate. Addition of sodium chloride produced a drying cu rve split into two separate constant rate portions, ach corresponding to a different drying mechanism.