Steve,
Could you use a floating suction arm so that the intake is only 300mm below the surface? That way avoiding solids getting in the line in the first place? Or perhaps a labyrinth of vertical plates so that solids drop out of the bottom.
Geoff
--- Steve McKenzie <Mechproj@xtra.co.nz> wrote:
I have some preliminary design work to do on concept design for a new
gold mine - open cut, sulphide, flotation, with concentrate as the
finished product. In this project the tails dam will be some 80m
lower and 3km distant from the process plant. I need to return the
water from the tails dam. Having trouble deciding on a suitable line
velocity. I normally use 2-3m/s for preliminary sizing (around 300mm
I.D. pipe). However in this case if I drop to 1.5m/s I can get away
with a single (floating)pumping stage if I thrash the pump. At 2m/s
the head loss means I need two stages and heaps more $. My concern
about the low velocity is fugitive solids settling out in the line
(i.e. sanding). The fugitive solids will come from occasional dam
water level mismanagement, when the liquid level is allowed to drop
too far and the pump suction hoovers up the settled solids on the dam
floor. I think its overkill to design a return water line as a slurry
line.
Any experience out there?
Cheers
Steve McKenzie
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