SLIDE 1 Electro Kinetic Reclamation
SLIDE 2 History of Development
- 2010: Initial theory tested at Univ. of Illinois at Chicago
(Dr. Krishna Reddy)
- 2011-2012: Bench testing in Escondido
- 2012-2013: 5m electrode spacing, 2D & 1,000L tote
testing in Escondido (sponsored by AI-ESS & Shell)
- 2014-present: 130 M³ & 25 M³ testing at C-FER
Technologies (sponsored by AI-ESS & Shell)
SLIDE 3
- 14 Days Treatment
- 330 L Water
Separated
- 56.9% Solids
- Up to 200 kPa Shear
Strength
- 109 kWh Used
- $8.72/m3 treated
- $15.53/Dry tonne
- 330kW/m3 Water
Recovered
SLIDE 4
- 7 Weeks Treatment
- 260 L Water Separated
- 49.4% Solids
- Up to 135 kPa Shear
Strength
- 190 kWh Used
- ~30% Volume Reduction
- Greater electrode spacing may be
possible
SLIDE 5 Potential Applications
MFT Water Cap
EKR Process End Pit Lake Post Treatment
Electrodes Extracted Water
- Could be an in-pit deposit such as lake bottom
- Could be an above grade pond
- Vertical electrode arrangement with target densities
dependent on final reclamation plans
Extract water and compact tailing in-place increasing capacity of the deposit.
Compacted Tailings
SLIDE 6 Densification of New Deposits
In-place dewatering with fines separation/compaction to improve fines capture in settling basins and disposal areas
Makes use of existing facilities for in situ treatment of tailings Works on a range
Extracted water is suitable for return for process use Horizontal or Vertical Electrode arrangement
SLIDE 7 Apply EKR at tank scale Assess new hybrid electrode array design Test impact of:
- larger scale
- cold weather
Refine EKS Model
Purpose of Current Tests
SLIDE 8
Indoor Large Scale Testing
5m electrode spacing in 130m3 of MFT Test effectiveness of hybrid electrode array Assess impact of scale on energy demand Refine EKS Model
SLIDE 9
Outdoor Testing
25m3 outdoor test in open top ‘Baker Tank’ Demonstrate effectiveness of horizontal electrodes Operate in cold temperatures Calibrate predictive model for horizontal electrodes
SLIDE 10 Test Systems at C-FER
10
SLIDE 11
Metrics of Success
Densify to 60% solids content Recovered water quality suitable for reuse Power costs $15-30/dry tonne Prove treatment system works at tank scale Assess Freeze/Thaw impacts
SLIDE 12
Treatment Results to Date 130m³ Tank
Days of EKR Treatment: 335 Consumed Power: Approx.: 6,200KWh Released Water: Approx.: 80 M³ % Starting Solids: Approx.: 32 Current % Solids by Wt.: Approx.: 63 Treatment Costs: $ 10.25/Dry Tonne
SLIDE 13 Consumed Power: 130m³ Tank
1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000 5,000 6,000 7,000 8,000 50 100 150 200 250 300 350
Cumulative Power [kWh] Treatment Days
Cumulative Power (Model 31.75%) Cumulative Power (Actual) [kWh]
SLIDE 14 Released Water: 130m³ Tank
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 Released Water (m3) Days of Treatment
SLIDE 15 % Change in Solids: 130m³ Tank
30% 35% 40% 45% 50% 55% 60% 65% 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 Days of Treatment
SLIDE 16 Treatment Costs: 130m³ Tank
$0.25 $2.25 $4.25 $6.25 $8.25 $10.25 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 $/Dry Tonne Days of Treatment
SLIDE 17
Post EKR Treatment 25m³ Tank
SLIDE 18
Post EKR Treatment 25m³ Tank
SLIDE 19
Treatment Results 25m³ Tank
Days of EKR Treatment: 256 with 145 of freeze* Consumed Power: Approx.: 3,000 KWh Released Water: Approx.: 15 m³ % Starting Solids: Approx.: 32 %Change in Solids: Approx.: 60 Treatment Costs: $ 27-34/Dry Tonne Comprehensive final report due November, 2015 *Per N. Beier at U of A, expect approx. 12-13% solids content from freeze (+/- 5%)
SLIDE 20
Next Steps
EKR treatment of 130m³ until December Detailed post-treatment sampling Detailed research report end of Feb. 2016 Engineering design for possible full-scale field deployment in 2016
