Flocculation of the Syncrude fine tailings Part II. Effect of hydrodynamicconditions

The first part of the project identified an optimum pH range and optimum Mg 2+ and Ca2+ concentrations. Following this, a series of the tests was carri ed out under varying hydrodynamic conditions. The tests also included a polyethylene oxide (PEO) flocculant. The results confirmed that good flocculation response requires not only optimization of the polymer dosage, but also the rate of polymer addition and intensity of conditioning. Good flocculation can be achieved with lower polymer dosages when using more dilute polymer solutions and continuous polymer addition d uring conditioning. The PEO flocculant was found to be very effective for flocculation of the S yncrude tailings. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.