Overburden/tailings mixtures for engineered tailings deposit control

US9352328B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• SYNCRUDE CANADA LTD. in trust for the owners of the Syncrude Project as such owners exist now and in the future · CA

Inventors

• Nan Wang · Shanghai, CN
• Ron Cleminson · Fort McMurray, CA
• RANDY MIKULA · Edmonton, CA

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 29, 2013
• Grant date: May 31, 2016
• Expiry date: Aug 29, 2033

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B09B1/00
• WIPO field: Chemical engineering
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A process for enhancing the solidification of tailings is provided comprising providing overburden having a moisture content ranging from about 15 wt % to about 25 wt % and comminuting the overburden to a first size; providing tailings having a solids content ranging from about 1 wt % to about 70 wt %; adding the tailings to the first sized overburden to form treated overburden and comminuting the treated overburden to a second size; and depositing the second sized treated overburden to produce a substantially solidified deposit.