METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR APPLICATION OF VACUUM EVAPORATION TO THE THICKENING AND DRYING OF TAILINGS IN OILSANDS AND MINERAL MINING OPERATIONS

摘要

A method and system for dewatering tailings from oilsands or other mining operations using vacuum evaporation. The method comprises i) providing one or more vacuum chambers and means for delivering the tailings to the one or more vacuum chambers; ii) delivering the tailings to one or more vacuum chambers in sufficient volume to partially fill the one or more vacuum chambers; iii) reducing the pressure in each of the one or more vacuum chambers; iii) applying heat to the tailings before, and/or after and/or during such pressure reduction to thereby dewater the tailings; iv) measuring the density or moisture content of the dewatered tailings and withdrawing the tailings from the one or more vacuum chambers when a predetermined density or moisture content of the tailings in that vacuum chamber has been reached. A number of vacuum chambers in series can be used.