Ultrasound supported flocculation of borate tailings with differently charged flocculants

Mining activities are followed by mineral processing and wet beneficiation methods which generate a significant amount of tailings. Slime fractions discharged to the tailing ponds with associated process water this causes storage disposal difficulties creates severe environmental problems. Therefore, dewatering these tailings is necessary for both economic aspects. In study, flocculation behaviors boron from Agildere Hisarcik (Turkey) were studied in presence anionic, cationic, non-ionic flocculants. The results showed that free settling condition was optimum sample. On contrary, rate sample increased considerably use flocculants decrease turbidity suspension. Flocculation experiments indicated effect flocculant type on can be generally ordered as anionic>cationic>non-ionic>no-flocculant. Furthermore, ultrasound used supporting application. although application decreased samples, lower sediment bed heights obtained because formation more compact ultrasound.