ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT: This paper discusses design considerations for paste and thickened tailings pipeline systems. The pipeline flow behavior of conventional tailings, thickened tailings and paste are reviewed. It is noted that there is uncertainty regarding the design of thickened tailings pipelines in laminar flow. Guidelines are presented for the use of centrifugal and positive displacement pumps. The paper concludes with the recommendation that life cycle trade-off studies should be conducted to establish the optimum economic solids concentration for each proposed system.
