893 3. RESULTS The particle size distribution (PSD) analysis reveals a distinct shift in the physical characteristics of the tailings generated by the CPF circuit compared to the current operational baseline. Sample_02_NC represents a significantly coarser tailings stream than the Sample_01_BL baseline across the entire measured spectrum (Figure 4). Specifically, the CPF tailings exhibit a P80 of 395 μm, whereas the baseline operation produces a much finer P80 of 147 μm. Furthermore, at the 100 μm threshold, the cumulative passing fraction was reduced from 74% in the baseline to only 37% in the integrated stream. This pronounced upward shift in the particle size profile indicates that the Coarse Waste Rejection (CWR) stage successfully recovers or redirects coarser fractions that are typically lost to the fine 'slimes' in conventional circuits. From a dewatering and disposal perspective, this engineered PSD is highly advantageous; the reduction in the fine fraction inherently increases the porosity of the filter cake, facilitating higher filtration rates and enhancing the long-term structural integrity of the Tailings Storage Facility (TSF). Figure 4 – Comparative particle size distribution (PSD) of Sample 01 (Baseline) and Sample 02 (NovaCell™ CWR) tailings. The experimental results (Figures 5 and 6) illustrate a significant synergistic effect between the upstream NovaCell™ process and the downstream filtration system, offering a clear pathway for optimizing plant capacity. For the current operational baseline (Sample 01), standard vacuum filtration without vibration assistance yields a residual moisture content of approximately 18%. By integrating three Viper units, this baseline moisture is reduced to between 14% and 16% within a 120-second cycle. This marked improvement in dewatering kinetics directly increases the specific filtration rate, a parameter that fundamentally dictates the physical footprint and required scale of the filtration facility. 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 10 100 1000 Cumulative Undesize (%) Particle Size (μm) PSD Sample_02_NC Sample_01_BL
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTM0Mzk2