Investigation of High-Power Microwave Treatment of Kimberlites and Its Effect on Comminution and Downstream Processing
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Authors
Borhan Mehr, Ravash
Date
2024-06-12
Type
thesis
Language
eng
Keyword
Comminution , DMS , Energy , Kimberlite , Liberation , Microwave , Characterization , Permittivities , Pilot-scale , Settling , PSD
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Abstract
Although microwave treatment has been proven to reduce the competency of kimberlites, the lack of information regarding the downstream processing of microwave treated kimberlites has led to limited application of this technology on a full scale. This thesis provides expansive research on the effects of microwave treatment on the processing of kimberlites, beginning with an in-depth literature review that evaluates its impact on the thermal, physical, and mechanical properties of various materials, as well as downstream processes such as flotation and leaching, and energy consumption. The research investigates microwave treatment at both bench-scale and pilot-scale to address the current gap in knowledge concerning the downstream processing of microwave-treated kimberlites. An extensive characterization of four unique kimberlite samples was performed, including mineralogical analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, and permittivity measurements. The bench-scale microwave treatments explored the heating behaviours and microwave amenability of the kimberlites with respect to different parameters, functioning as the precursor for pilot-scale studies which mainly aimed to reduce the kimberlite’s competency by promoting microfractures along the mineral grain boundaries. This microfracturing resulted in reduced energy consumptions during the comminution stages and has the potential to decrease diamond breakage. Comparative comminution studies, applying jaw and cone crushers followed by high-pressure grinding rolls (HPGR), indicated that the microwave treated samples not only consumed less energy by 16%, but also produced fewer ultra-fine particles (<38 μm) as compared to the untreated samples by 4.4%. Dense media separation (DMS) was then employed as the downstream processing stage to investigate the separation efficiency of the microwave treated versus the untreated samples, with a focus on liberation analysis for both the concentrates and the tailings. Settling studies on the fine particles (<1 mm) highlighted the improvements in solid-liquid separation, essential for tailings management and the design of thickeners. The key findings and the recommendations presented at the end of this thesis highlight the effectiveness of microwave treatment in the processing of kimberlites and offer comprehensive suggestions and directions for future research aimed at commercialization.
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This publication is made available by the authority of the copyright owner solely for the purpose of private study and research and may not be copied or reproduced except as permitted by the copyright laws without written authority from the copyright owner.
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ProQuest PhD and Master's Theses International Dissemination Agreement
Intellectual Property Guidelines at Queen's University
Copying and Preserving Your Thesis
This publication is made available by the authority of the copyright owner solely for the purpose of private study and research and may not be copied or reproduced except as permitted by the copyright laws without written authority from the copyright owner.
Attribution 4.0 International