Fine-grained tailings have poor permeability and a long consolidation time, but treatment with flocculants can improve their mechanical properties. Changes in the physical and engineering properties of fine tailings due to treatment with different flocculants was investigated by microscope observations, settling tests and tests for shear strength, consolidation and permeability. A new concept – the relative flocculation rate Fr – was used to quantify the effect of flocculation on the hydraulic conductivity and void ratio of coarse tailings, fine tailings and flocculant-treated tailings under high pressure using a developed high-stress permeability and consolidation apparatus. The results showed that a composite flocculant could have a considerable effect on the geotechnical properties of fine tailings due to changes in the double diffusion layer (DDL) of the particles. However, for a consolidation pressure greater than 2 MPa, the DDL theory is no longer applicable.
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Research Article|
October 30 2021
High-stress permeability and consolidation characteristics of flocculanted fine tailings Available to Purchase
Changkun Ma, MSc;
Changkun Ma, MSc
PhD Candidate, State Key Laboratory of Geomechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, Institute of Rock and Soil Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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Chao Zhang, PhD;
Chao Zhang, PhD
Professor, State Key Laboratory of Geomechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, Institute of Rock and Soil Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei, China (corresponding author )
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Xiaogang Guo, PhD;
Xiaogang Guo, PhD
Assistant Professor, State Key Laboratory of Geomechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, Institute of Rock and Soil Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei, China
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Hanmin Zhou, PhD;
Hanmin Zhou, PhD
Engineer, Mining and Metallurgical Technology Ltd, Beijing, China
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Shucheng Gan, BSc
Shucheng Gan, BSc
MSc Candidate, State Key Laboratory of Coal Mine Disaster Dynamics and Control, School of Resources and Safety Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
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Publisher: Emerald Publishing
Received:
August 09 2021
Accepted:
September 20 2021
Online ISSN: 1751-8563
Print ISSN: 1353-2618
ICE Publishing: All rights reserved
2021
Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Geotechnical Engineering (2023) 176 (3): 284–294.
Article history
Received:
August 09 2021
Accepted:
September 20 2021
Citation
Ma C, Zhang C, Guo X, Zhou H, Gan S (2023), "High-stress permeability and consolidation characteristics of flocculanted fine tailings". Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Geotechnical Engineering, Vol. 176 No. 3 pp. 284–294, doi: https://doi.org/10.1680/jgeen.21.00166
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