Flume deposition modeling of caustic and noncaustic oil sand tailings

Abstract

As part of an overall study to evaluate the properties and processes influencing the rate and magnitude of consolidation for oil sand tailings produced using different extraction processes, laboratory flume deposition tests were carried out with the objective to hydraulically deposit oil sand tailings and compare the effects of caustic and noncaustic extraction processes on the nature of beach deposits in terms of geometry, grain-size distribution, and density. The characteristics of the beaches from this research study were compared with other flume deposition test results performed using a variety of tailings materials. A good correlation exists between flume deposition test results using oil sand tailings and the various other tailings materials, especially those with appreciable fines contents with respect to parameters that govern beach slope. These comparisons show the reliability and effectiveness of flume deposition tests in terms of establishing general relationships and can serve as a guide to predict beach slopes.