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2015 / ATC Papers / Conference / Slurry & Mechanical Engineering / Tailings Management

Stochastic beach profile modelling

Paste 2015 – RJ Jewell and AB Fourie (eds)
© 2015 Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Perth, ISBN 978-0-9924810-1-8

ABSTRACT

Modelling of a tailings beach using a time series of thickener output (flow rate and solids concentration) was first reported by Fitton et al. (2007). Seddon and Fitton (2011) presented statistical data on the performance of thickeners, and showed that the observed concave shape in tailings beaches could be adequately  explained  by  this  variability.  They  then  proposed  a  stochastic  method  for  the  generalised modelling of tailings beaches. The aim of this paper is to demonstrate the application and results obtained by the use of this method. This paper shows how thickener performance statistics in the form of frequency functions for variations in (a) underflow solids concentration; and (b) mass flow rate, can be combined with a set of rheology results to develop a predictive beach slope distribution. Data developed from this distribution are then used as an input to a deposition modelling program. The developed beach profile is presented for a typical case.

AUTHOR/S

Keith Seddon  ATC Williams Pty Ltd, Australia

Behnam Pirouz  ATC Williams Pty Ltd, Australia

Tim Fitton  Fitton Tailings Consultants, Australia

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