Recent developments in techniques and methodologies for improving thickener performance

Research projects directed towards 'Improving Thickener Technology' have be en conducted by the Al Parker Cooperative Research Centre for Hydrometallur gy since 1988 through the Australian Mineral Industries Research Associatio n with support from 25 Australian and international mineral processing comp anies. These projects have resulted in the development of a range of resear ch tools and techniques to address flocculation and thickening issues. Labo ratory and plant studies have focused on how key factors, such as mixing in tensity, mixing duration and solids concentration, affect flocculation effi ciency and, hence, thickener performance. A comprehensive computational flu id dynamics (CFD) model has been developed to predict likely full-scale per formance under various process conditions, based upon a knowledge of thicke ner design, plant flows and laboratory assessment of the flocculation behav iour of the feed slurry. Application of this CFD model to problems within s pecific mineral processing operations has resulted in significant benefits, in one case leading to doubling of a thickener's throughput. This paper pr esents an overview of the work conducted during these projects, focusing on the research tools, the nature of the information that has been gained and the implications for thickener performance. Brief details will be presente d on research issues currently being investigated. (C) 2000 Elsevier Scienc e B.V. All rights reserved.