Aggregate size and density after shearing, implications for dewatering fine tailings with hydrocyclones

Abstract

Experiments have been conducted in a shear cell in order to provide insight into the separation of flocs by size and density in a hydrocyclone. The size of the aggregates was measured after shearing at a rate comparable to that found within a typical hydrocyclone. Two types of coal tailings from the Hunter Valley, NSW Australia with average sizes of about 0.4 μm and 10 μm were investigated. The size of aggregates after shearing was measured for a range of different polymeric flocculants of varying molecular weight and charge density. Under certain conditions 90% of the aggregates from the submicron tailings have size greater than 38 μm after shear at 1200 s-1 for 30 s. The aggregates produce..