Slope and stack geometry are critical parameters affecting the performance of thickened tailing deposits. The geometry of these stacks is in part influenced by the rheological behaviour of the tailings, as well as by depositional parameters such as flow rate. Previous studies on small scale laboratory simulations in flumes showed that the topography of simple geometries can be predicted using equation derived from the Navier-Stokes equation using Lubrication Theory.;Results indicate that the yield stress can substantially increase while the tailings are still flowing due to settling and by capillary induced flow into underlying desiccated tailings. This can potentially be used as an advantage by mine operators to reduce the pumping costs related to transportation of thickened tailings.;One of the difficulties of applying this theory at the field scale, is the potential for change in the rheology of the tailings as they flow. This research investigates this possibility by slowly depositing tailings using single and multilayer tests in a flume. Changes in the rheological properties were quantified by best-fitting the lubrication theory equations to equilibrium profiles.
展开▼
