EFFECT OF SAND ADDITION ON THE RHEOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF RED MUD SLURRIES

This paper presents the results of our study on the effect of the addition of coarse sand particles on the rheological properties of red mud slurries at different red mud concentrations up to the paste consistency regime. The rheological properties of red mud slurries were measured over a very wide range of solids concentration. Sand consisting of particles having a median size of approximately 400 m were added to the fine mud particles and their impact on the rheological properties of the mud were measured. An empirical mathematical model is derived and the results are discussed in terms of their impact and potential benefits on the operation of mud washing and mud disposal circuits of Bayer plants.