Efficient dewatering of unclassified tailings with flocculant: role of ultrasound

Towards a Circular Economy in the Mining Industry: Possible Solutions for Water Recovery through Advanced Mineral Tailings Dewatering

“…Ultrasound is widely used in mineral processing due to its significant impact, including vibration, cavitation, and other factors, along with its concentrated power, long-range transmission, and high efficiency, making high-power ultrasonics a preferred choice in industrial processes [196]. Ultrasound is a cost-effective and environmentally friendly technology that can improve the dewatering process of sludge, leading to a reduced need for flocculant additives [197]. The literature suggests that low-frequency ultrasound, typically ranging from 20 to 100 kHz but sometimes as low as 16 kHz, can enhance the separation of solids from suspensions [192,198].…”

“…In the context of sedimentation, numerous scientists have investigated the dehydration of substances like sewage sludge [199] and mine tailings [197]. The impact of ultrasound parameters, such as frequency (17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25), power (50-100 W), duration (5-20 min), and start time (3-12 min), was studied on the final underflow concentration of unclassified gold mine tailings in the presence of an anionic polyacrylamide flocculant [192].…”