Effect of Surfactant on Rheological Behaviour of High Concentration Iron Ore Slurry

Abstract

ABSTRACT newlineSlurry pipeline transportation technologies for transporting iron ore are extensively used across the globe as a viable option for vast solids transport. Currently, a substantial volume of iron ore fines is carried by the pipeline from mining sites to the plant, which is both financially and ecologically advantageous. The slurry pipes will help to reduce pollution and traffic problems. Before transporting the bulk slurry via pipelines, a well-dispersed homogeneous suspension of iron ore particles in the water as the conveyance medium must be prepared. High concentration iron ore water slurry transportation refers to the process of transporting large amounts of iron ore in slurry form, which is a mixture of finely ground ore particles, water and a dispersing agent. This method is commonly used in mining and mineral processing operations to transport iron ore from the mining site to the processing plant or to ship it for export. To prepare high concentration iron ore slurry, the ore is typically crushed and ground into powder form having suitable particle size distribution. Required amount of water containing dispersing agent is then added to the ore powder to form slurry with a high solids concentration. The exact concentration can vary depending on the specific requirements and transportation method. The rheological behavior of the concentrated slurry necessitates thorough consideration of viscosity as well as other slurry flow characteristics to determine the pumping power with the least specific energy. Understanding the rheological behavior of these slurries is crucial for the efficient operation and optimization of such processes. In some cases, it may be necessary to adjust the slurry concentration during pipeline transportation. Dilution water can be added to reduce the solids concentration if required. Iron ore particles tend to agglomerate and settle in the water, leading to poor dispersion and hindered flow. Surfactants, also known as surface-active agents, are chemicals that can modify the surf