Characterization of Iron Precipitates in a SAPS Limestone Layer for Flushing System Design

摘要

In successive alkalinity-producing systems (SAPS), the limestone tends to get coated with precipitates, reducing the permeability of the SAPS, the mine water treatment efficiency, and the service life of the SAPS. Further study of the precipitates are required to improve the design of flushing systems. In this study, the growth characteristics, particle size distribution, and chemical composition of these precipitates were determined. Based on their growth characteristics, precipitates were classified into four types, and the critical velocity of the precipitates, which is a design parameter of flushing systems, was evaluated through experiments. The resulting critical velocity was used to identify the minimum number of orifices required for lateral pipes in flushing systems.