Characterization and dewatering of borax clayey tailings by mono- and dual-flocculants systems

Year 2018, , 237 - 246, 27.06.2018

Nuray Karapınar

https://doi.org/10.19111/bulletinofmre.336392

Cited By: 1

Abstract

This study includes
dewatering of Kırka Borax Concentrator tailings by flocculation with mono- and
dual-fl occulants systems. Four polyacrylamide (PAM)-typed anionic and a poly
diallyl-dimethylammonium chloride (PolyDADMAC)-typed cationic polymers were
used as fl occulants in monoand dual-flocculants systems to fl occulate
tailings. Tailings slurry sample used in the experiments were taken from the
discharge point of Kırka Borax Concentrator. Prior to the fl occulation tests,
physical, chemical and mineralogical analysis were carried out to characterize
the tailings slurry. Results reveal that while tailings solid consists mainly
of dolomite and montmorillonite with some unrecoverable boron mineral fi nes
and very minor amount of calcite and quartz, tailings water is typical with the
content of quite high dissolved carbonate and borax with a pH of 9.4.
Flocculation tests were performed in one liter graduated cylinder at inherent
pH of the tailings slurry sample. Settling rate and turbidity of overfl ow was
measured as important factors for evaluating the fl occulation performance of
different fl occulants. The tailings slurry as received showed a very low
settling behavior due to the clay content and high percentage of fi ne
particles. Flocculation of tailings with anionic fl occulants accelerated the
settling rate of particles without providing a clear supernatant. But, dual-fl
occulants system, in which anionic and cationic type polymeric fl occulants
were used, was able to provide a clear supernatant at relatively higher
settling rates.

Keywords

beneficiation, tailings, dewatering, flocculation, Borax

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