Optimization of Flocculation and Sedimentation Parameters of Total Tailing Filling Material Based on Response Surface Method

Using sulfide ore and oxide ore tailings of a tin mine in Yunnan as raw materials, 17 groups of flocculation settling tests were designed by Box-Behnken in Design-Expert software, and the settling velocity and underflow concentration of mixed tailings with sulfur/oxygen ratio of 5 : 5 were studied. The effects of volume concentration, flocculant unit consumption, and flocculant concentration on settling velocity and underflow concentration were explored, and the optimal parameters of settling velocity and underflow concentration were obtained. Results. The best mixing parameters of mixed tailings are volume concentration of 17.66%, flocculant unit consumption of 39.589 g/t, and flocculant concentration of 0.195%. At this time, the settling speed is 2.231 mm/s and the underflow concentration is 65.289%. The flocculation settling velocity under this parameter condition was tested, and the experimental results were consistent with the predicted results of the model. This surface method can be used to design the flocculation and settlement test of mine tailings, which has certain guiding significance for the selection of parameters in actual production of mines.