Electro Kinetic Reclamation of MFT History of Development 2010 : - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Electro Kinetic Reclamation of MFT

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)

 14 Days Treatment  330 L Water Separated  56.9% Solids  Up to 200 kPa Shear Strength  109 kWh Used  $8.72/m 3 treated  $15.53/Dry tonne 330kW/m 3 Water  Recovered

  7 Weeks Treatment 190 kWh Used   260 L Water Separated ~30% Volume Reduction  Greater electrode spacing may be  49.4% Solids possible  Up to 135 kPa Shear Strength

Potential Applications  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 Water Cap MFT End Pit Lake Electrodes EKR Process Extract water and compact tailing in-place Extracted Water Post Compacted Tailings increasing capacity of the deposit. Treatment

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 of solids contents  Extracted water is suitable for return for process use  Horizontal or Vertical Electrode arrangement

Purpose of Current Tests Apply EKR at tank scale Assess new hybrid electrode array design Test impact of: • larger scale • cold weather Refine EKS Model

Indoor Large Scale Testing 5m electrode spacing in 130m 3 of MFT Test effectiveness of hybrid electrode array Assess impact of scale on energy demand Refine EKS Model

Outdoor Testing 25m 3 outdoor test in open top ‘Baker Tank’ Demonstrate effectiveness of horizontal electrodes Operate in cold temperatures Calibrate predictive model for horizontal electrodes

Test Systems at C-FER 10

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

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

Consumed Power: 130m³ Tank 8,000 7,000 6,000 Cumulative Power [kWh] 5,000 4,000 3,000 2,000 1,000 0 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 Treatment Days Cumulative Power (Model 31.75%) Cumulative Power (Actual) [kWh]

Released Water: 130m³ Tank 80 70 Released Water (m3) 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 Days of Treatment

% Change in Solids: 130m³ Tank 65% 60% 55% 50% 45% 40% 35% 30% 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 Days of Treatment

Treatment Costs: 130m³ Tank $10.25 $8.25 $/Dry Tonne $6.25 $4.25 $2.25 $0.25 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 Days of Treatment

Post EKR Treatment 25m³ Tank

Post EKR Treatment 25m³ Tank

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%)

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