Identifying critical parameters in the settling of African kimberlites

dc.contributor.authorBoshoff, E.T. (Theodor)
dc.contributor.authorMorkel, Jacqueline
dc.contributor.authorNaude, Natasia
dc.date.accessioned2018-05-15T07:02:54Z
dc.date.issued2018
dc.description.abstractKimberlite is the host rock of diamonds and varies widely in geological and mineralogical features as well as color, processing capability, and dewatering characteristics. This study investigated the dewatering behavior of problematic Angolan kimberlites. The presence of clay minerals in kimberlite causes difficulties in dewatering due to high flocculant demand, poor supernatant clarity, and low settling rates. Identifying critical parameters governing the settling behavior will assist in managing the settling behavior of different kimberlite slurries. The influence of particle size, pH of the kimberlite slurry, cation exchange capacity, exchangeable sodium percentage, and smectite content of the kimberlite on the settling rate were investigated for 18 different African kimberlite samples. The settling rate and slurry bed compaction during natural settling were also measured for the kimberlite slurries. Seventeen different Angolan clay-rich kimberlites and one South African clay-rich kimberlite were tested, and, except for two kimberlites, colloidal stability was experienced during natural settling. The pH values of the kimberlite slurries ranged between 9 and 11, which is similar to the pH band where colloidal stability was found during earlier research. The results indicate that colloidal stable slurries were experienced with kimberlites that had exchangeable sodium percentages as low as 0.7%. The cation exchange capacity of the various kimberlites differentiated more distinctly between colloidal stability and instability. A new model is proposed whereby clay-rich kimberlites with a cation exchange capacity of more than 10cmol/kg will experience colloidal stability if the pH of the solvent solution is within the prescribed pH range of 9–11.en_ZA
dc.description.departmentMaterials Science and Metallurgical Engineeringen_ZA
dc.description.embargo2018-11-02
dc.description.librarianhj2018en_ZA
dc.description.urihttp://www.tandfonline.com/loi/gmpr20en_ZA
dc.identifier.citationE.T. Boshoff, J. Morkel & N. Naude (2018) Identifying critical parameters in the settling of African kimberlites, Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy Review, 39:2, 136-144, DOI: 10.1080/08827508.2017.1391248.en_ZA
dc.identifier.issn0882-7508 (print)
dc.identifier.issn1547-7401 (online)
dc.identifier.other10.1080/08827508.2017.1391248
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/2263/64946
dc.language.isoenen_ZA
dc.publisherTaylor and Francisen_ZA
dc.rights© 2017 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. This is an electronic version of an article published in Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy Review, vol. 39, no. 2, pp. 136-144, 2018. doi : 10.1080/08827508.2017.1391248. Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy Review is available online at : http://www.tandfonline.comloi/gmpr20.en_ZA
dc.subjectKimberliteen_ZA
dc.subjectSmectiteen_ZA
dc.subjectExchangeable sodium percentageen_ZA
dc.subjectCation exchange capacityen_ZA
dc.subject.otherEngineering, built environment and information technology articles SDG-09
dc.subject.otherSDG-09: Industry, innovation and infrastructure
dc.subject.otherEngineering, built environment and information technology articles SDG-12
dc.subject.otherSDG-12: Responsible consumption and production
dc.subject.otherEngineering, built environment and information technology articles SDG-13
dc.subject.otherSDG-13: Climate action
dc.subject.otherEngineering, built environment and information technology articles SDG-15
dc.subject.otherSDG-15: Life on land
dc.titleIdentifying critical parameters in the settling of African kimberlitesen_ZA
dc.typePostprint Articleen_ZA

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