Large-scale dewatering of phosphatic clay waste from Polk County, Fl.
Authors
Brooks-DR; Scheiner-BJ; Smelley-AG; Boyle-JR Jr.
Source
Tuscaloosa, AL: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Mines, RI-9016, 1986 Jan; :1-8
Abstract
The Bureau of Mines has tested a dewatering technique for phosphatic clay waste. The technique utilizes a flocculant polyethylene oxide (peo), that forms strong, stable flocs that can be dewatered on a static screen followed by further dewatering on a rotary screen or trommel. In field tests conducted in central Florida, clay wastes containing approximately 4 pct solids have been consolidated to greater than 20 pct solids. The rate at which peo-treated material continues to dewater in a mine cut was also monitored. Preliminary results indicate that peo-treated material will dewater to 30 pct solids in 80 days. Pretreatment of phosphatic clay waste with lime lowers the peo dosage required for dewatering. This report is based upon work done under an agreement between the University of Alabama and the Bureau of Mines.
Keywords
Wastes; Tailings; Flocculants; Polyoxyethylene; Dewatering; Clays
Document Type
IH; Report of Investigations
NTIS Accession No.
PB86-229564
Source Name
Tuscaloosa, AL: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Mines, RI 9016
