Author(s): Behnam Pirouz; Mohammad Reza Kavianpour; Paul Williams
Linked Author(s):
Keywords: Scale-Modeling; Hydraulic-fill; Tailings; Non-Segregating Slurry; Rheology
Abstract: The problems and difficulties involved in scale-modeling of hydraulic-fill beach formation process are investigated and the reasons why previous research works using laboratory size trial tests to study the tailings beaches characteristics and behaviors have not been successful are recognized and discussed in details. Dimensional analysis has been carried out to investigate the important parameters in the model study of non-segregating beach formation and development. As the thickened tailings exhibit non-Newtonian behaviors, it was found out that the use of conventional distorted hydraulic models constructed based on similarities of Froude number between model and prototype are not practical method to study the tailings beach profile and characteristics which is determine by channelized tailings flow. Knowing the difficulties with scale modeling of the phenomenon, full-scale flume tests were carried out in an experimental flume installed at Peak Gold Mines in NSW Australia to study the channelized flow characteristics in equilibrium slope condition. The tests were run with the fresh tailings flow from the effluent pipe to the tailings dam at this mine site. Velocity and density profiles with depth were measured and the regime of the flow was determined. The tests results show that the Reynolds number is within the range of transient flow to turbulent flow and very sensitive to the Rheology of the tailings. It was also found that, running the flume tests with continuous flow of tailings for this type of fluids is essential to form the canalized turbulent flow inside the flume. It was concluded, that the scale modeling of this phenomenon is far to achieve and the results from scale-modeling can be unrealistic and misleading.
Year: 2007