DEWATERING THICK FINE TAILINGS USING DILUTION AND NEAR INFRARED MONITORING TECHNIQUES

摘要

A process for dewatering mature fine tailings derived from oil sands extraction is provided, including steps of obtaining a near-infrared (NIR) spectral measurement of the flow of mature fine tailings (MFT) in order to determine a clay content thereof, diluting the in-line MFT flow based on the NIR-derived clay content, subjecting the diluted flow to in-line homogenization using mixers, injecting a flocculant solution into the pre-treated MFT flow based on the clay content, and subsequently dewatering to produce an aqueous phase and a solids-enriched material.