Paste Thickener Design and

Operation Selected to Achieve

Downstream Requirements
J. S. Slottee PasteThick Associates, USA
J. Johnson PasteThick Associates, USA

Introduction

Paste thickener design is determined by

requirements for
1. Deposition
2. Pumping
3. Process feed rate and characteristics

This paper describes experience

supporting the design of a paste tailings
system as a system

Paste Stacking Flowsheet

Tailings
Feed
Paste Thickener

Transfer
Pump

Underflow
Pump

Stack

Considerations Downstream of
the Paste Thickener
Disposal foot print, capacity
Dam construction to contain thickened
tailings
Distribution of paste to optimize capacity
Site environmental requirements (i.e.
deposit permeability to groundwater)

Surface Stacking

5% slope

Flume Tests to Determine Slope

Iron ore tailings
Deposition Profiles
25

280 Pa

20 Pa

55 Pa

Mud height, cm

~ 20 Pa yield stress

20

~ 55 Pa yield stress
~ 280 Pa yield stress

15
10
5
0
0

2
Distance from leading edge, m

Pumping Paste & Thickened

Tailings
Pumping requirements of paste from plant
to impoundments site
Potential for gravity flow
Customer preference pump choice (i.e.
centrifugal only)

Shear Frequently
Affects Rheology

Inside thickener
150 Pa

35%
Thickener
discharge
80 Pa

35%

Deposition
50 Pa

35%

Yield Stress

Pumped Paste: Same wt% solids,

Different Yield Stress

% solids

Yield Stress

Paste Thickener Design

Based on Yield Stress
Curve

% solids

Shear Frequently
Affects Rheology

Inside thickener
150 Pa

35%

Same Yield Stress, Different %

Solids
Specific
Gravity
of Solid

Example #1

Pilot Testing
Demonstrated
Potential

iron ore tailings

80 wt% solids

Example #1

Plant
Requirements

A low yield stress

selected
Lower pumping costs
Area available for
lower stacking angle

Example #1

Design
450 tph design throughput
Varying feed t/hr
18 m dia, 12 m sidewall
height paste thickener
3 centrifugal pumps in
series for transportation

Example #2

Glass Sands Tailings

Example #2

Deposit Slope

Example #2

Pilot Shear Loop Tests

Example #2

Varying Feed Particle Size and Rheology

Example #2
Design

Diameter, m (ft)
Sidewall ht, m (ft)
Floor Slope, degree
K-Factor

High Density
Recommended
18 (59)
7.2 (24)
20
300

Deep Bed

High Density

15 (49)
15 (59)
30
300

18 (59)
7.2 (24)
20
150

The Paste System Design

Process

Summary
Downstream requirements determine
underflow target and therefore type of
paste thickener.
Installed paste projects repeatedly
demonstrate the correct approach of a
team of the thickener supplier,
pumping/pipeline and geotechnical
consultants.

Conclusions
Sharing rheology data between the team
is essential
Rheology is greatly influenced by particle
size all parties need the same
awareness of particle size range
Design to a target yield stress, not wt%
solids