Consolidation and Hydraulic Conductivity of Oil Sands Mature Fine Tailings Dewatered by using Super Absorbent Polymer

A. Farkish, M. Fall

In the proceedings of: GeoMontréal 2013: 66th Canadian Geotechnical Conference; 11th joint with IAH-CNC

Session: Geoenvironment II

ABSTRACT: The processing of oil sands to extract bitumen generates large volumes of mature fine tailings (MFT). The large volume, poor consolidation and water release ability of MFT have been causing significant economic and environmental concerns. Therefore, significant research efforts have been devoted to finding methods for the dewatering and densification of MFT. In the present paper, a novel approach which consists of the rapid dewatering of MFT by using a super absorbent polymer (SAP) to produce dense MFT is proposed. A comprehensive experimental program of consolidation and hydraulic conductivity tests are conducted on MFT dewatered by using SAP. The obtained results indicate that SAP dewatering can significantly increase the solid content and decrease the initial void ratio and compressibility of MFT.

RÉSUMÉ: grande quantité de résidus murs fins (MFT). Une économie et Conséquemment, de grands efforts ont été déployés afin de trouver des méthodil sera question qui consiste à ultra absorbent (SAP) pour parvenir à produire des MFT plus denses. Un programme compréhensif expérimental comprenant des tests de consolidation et de perméabilité a peut significativement avides initial et leur compressibilité.

Please include this code when submitting a data update: GEO2013_346

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