Laboratory studies of the rapid densification of oil sands mature fine tailings by microbial activity

Chengmai Guo, Rick J. Chalaturnyk, J. Don Scott

In the proceedings of: GEO2010 Calgary: 63rd Canadian Geotechnical Conference & 6th Canadian Permafrost Conference

Session: T1-A

ABSTRACT: A field and laboratory research program was performed to examine the mechanisms leading to the rapid densification of the mature fine tailings (MFT) in Syncrude's Mildred Lake Settling Basin (MLSB) during microbial activity. This paper will describe the new laboratory apparatus used to test the consolidation and biochemical properties of the MFT during microbial activity. The complete outline of the laboratory testing program will be highlighted but because of space limitations only the detailed results for one series of tests will described in the paper. Preliminary discussion on the primary geotechnical mechanisms leading to the rapid densification of the MFT due to microbial activity is provided.

RÉSUMÉ: Un programme de recherche de terrain et de laboratoire a été accompli pour examiner les mécanismes causant densification rapide de tailings parfait adulte (MFT) à Mildred Lake du Syncrude Installant la cuvette (MLSB) pendant l'activité microbienne. Ce papier décrira le nouvel appareil de laboratoire utilisé pour évaluer la consolidation et les propriétés biochimiques du MFT pendant l'activité microbienne. Le contour complet du programme de mise à l'essai de laboratoire sera accentué mais seulement les résultats détaillés pour une série d'épreuves iront faire décrit dans le papier (essentiellement en raison des restrictions spatiales). La discussion préliminaire sur les mécanismes geotechnical primaires causant densification rapide de MFT en raison de l'activité microbienne est fournie.. 1 INTRODUCTION

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