Author(s): Jianan Cai; David Z. Zhu; N. Rajaratnam
Linked Author(s): David Z. Zhu
Keywords: No Keywords
Abstract: The aim of this study is to obtain a better understanding of the dynamics of sand jets in tailings ponds, which are built to store Mature Fine Tailings (MFT), a by-product of oilsands operations. Given the opacity of MFT, gels made from Laponite® were used to simulate the rheological characteristics of MFT. Several experiments were carried out with either Laponite gel itself or gel with water capping. Vertical sand jets were placed above the fluid surface. In low concentrated gel, sand jets either broke into drops or penetrated the gel layer depending on the size of the nozzles; but in water-capped gel, sand jets from small nozzles are always trapped by the gel. For gel in high concentration, sand jets built mounts above the gel surface or eroded the water-gel interface then deformation followed.
Year: 2009