ABSTRACT
The ability to forecast the degradation of particles in slurry systems is an important aspect of the system evaluation. This is because the cost of dewatering and water treatment processes are closely linked with the fines content in the pipeline product; these costs increase with increases in the proportion of fines. An additional consideration is that generation of fines can also lead to undesirable changes in the hydraulic characteristics of the slurry, (26,27). Degradation of coal has received particular attention because of the commercial interest in its transportation by pipeline and it is a relatively friable substance.
Degradation in a slurry system is a function of a number of different parameters which include:
