AU2003245068A1 - A method of dewatering a solid particulate material - Google Patents
A method of dewatering a solid particulate material Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- AU2003245068A1 AU2003245068A1 AU2003245068A AU2003245068A AU2003245068A1 AU 2003245068 A1 AU2003245068 A1 AU 2003245068A1 AU 2003245068 A AU2003245068 A AU 2003245068A AU 2003245068 A AU2003245068 A AU 2003245068A AU 2003245068 A1 AU2003245068 A1 AU 2003245068A1
- Authority
- AU
- Australia
- Prior art keywords
- container
- particulate material
- sub
- outlet
- bag
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 239000011236 particulate material Substances 0.000 title claims description 46
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims description 42
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 title claims description 21
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 22
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 14
- 238000005065 mining Methods 0.000 claims description 11
- 239000002699 waste material Substances 0.000 claims description 10
- 238000009412 basement excavation Methods 0.000 claims description 8
- 239000004746 geotextile Substances 0.000 claims description 8
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000000725 suspension Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000002002 slurry Substances 0.000 description 6
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 description 4
- 229920006395 saturated elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 3
- 239000004743 Polypropylene Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000005553 drilling Methods 0.000 description 2
- -1 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 229920001155 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000011435 rock Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000005273 aeration Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005422 blasting Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- PCHJSUWPFVWCPO-UHFFFAOYSA-N gold Chemical compound [Au] PCHJSUWPFVWCPO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000010931 gold Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052737 gold Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 229910052500 inorganic mineral Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000011707 mineral Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000035515 penetration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000012466 permeate Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000011148 porous material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002689 soil Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001502 supplementing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000002352 surface water Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000003313 weakening effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21D—SHAFTS; TUNNELS; GALLERIES; LARGE UNDERGROUND CHAMBERS
- E21D15/00—Props; Chocks, e.g. made of flexible containers filled with backfilling material
- E21D15/48—Chocks or the like
- E21D15/486—Chocks or the like with essential hydraulic or pneumatic details
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Structural Engineering (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
- Geology (AREA)
- Investigation Of Foundation Soil And Reinforcement Of Foundation Soil By Compacting Or Drainage (AREA)
Description
WO 03/069124 PCT/IB03/00499 A METHOD OF DEWATERING A SOLID PARTICULATE MATERIAL THIS INVENTION relates to a method of dewatering a solid particulate material. The invention extends to a method of dewatering a solid particulate material contained within a foraminous container, to 5 a container for a solid particulate material, to a sub-terranean ground support installation and to a method of providing ground support. The invention further relates to a drainage system for a sport facility and a method of draining water from a surface of a sport facility. According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided 10 a method of dewatering a solid particulate material, which method includes subjecting the solid particulate material to sub-atmospheric pressure. The method may include applying a negative pressure to a drain line having an inlet positioned at a low level within the material. 15 The solid particulate material may be contained within a foraminous container, the method including providing an outlet in a wall of the container and applying the sub-atmospheric pressure across the outlet.
WO 03/069124 PCT/IB03/00499 2 In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the method includes accelerating the dewatering of particulate material contained within a backfill bag by supplementing gravitational dewatering of the particulate material by applying a sub-atmospheric pressure to at least 5 part of the material. The method may include providing a conduit which leads from the container at or adjacent an operatively lower end thereof, the conduit defining an inlet and the outlet and a flow passage, connecting the inlet and the outlet in flow communication. 10 The container may be in the form of a backfill bag for containing waste or residue from mining, the bag having an inlet whereby the particulate material can be introduced into the bag. According to still another aspect of the invention, there is provided a container for a solid particulate material, which container 15 includes a foraminous body and at least one conduit leading from the body, the conduit defining an inlet, an outlet and a flow passage, connecting the inlet and the outlet in flow communication. The container may include connecting means for connecting an outlet of the conduit in flow communication with sub-atmospheric 20 pressure supply means, such as, for example, in the form of a vacuum or venturi pump. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the container is in the form of a backfill bag for containing waste or residue from WO 03/069124 PCT/IB03/00499 3 mining, the bag having an inlet whereby the particulate material can be introduced into the bag and the conduit being positioned at or towards an operatively lower end of the bag. -The bag may be of a geotextile material, such as, for example, woven polypropylene tapes. 5 According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a sub-terranean ground support installation which includes at least one container containing particulate material disposed between a foot wall and a hanging wall of an underground excavation, the or each container defining at least one drainage outlet; and 10 sub-atmospheric pressure supply means connectable to the at least one drainage outlet for draining liquid from particulate material contained in the container. The at least one container may be in the form of a foraminous bag of geotextile material, the particulate material being 15 waste mining material and the drainage outlet being positioned at or adjacent an operatively lower end of the container. According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of providing support in a subterranean excavation, which method includes the steps of 20 providing at least one container between a foot wall and a hanging wall of the subterranean excavation; introducing particulate material in suspension into the or each container; and WO 03/069124 PCT/IBO3/00499 4 subjecting the particulate material to sub-atmospheric pressure thereby to facilitate dewatering of the particulate material via the at least one drainage outlet. The at least one container may be in the form of a 5 foraminous bag of a geotextile material, the particulate material being waste mining material and at least one drainage outlet may be defined in the container at or adjacent an operatively lower end thereof. According to yet a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a drainage system, which includes 10 at least one sub-surface drainage conduit; and sub-atmospheric pressure supply means/vacuum means connected to the conduit for subjecting a sub-surface region to sub-atmospheric pressure. The system may be installed at a sport facility and may 15 include a network of drainage pipes disposed beneath a playing surface of the sport facility. According to a still further aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of draining water from a surface which method includes subjecting a sub-surface region to sub-atmospheric pressure. 20 More particularly, the surface may be that of a sport facility.
WO 03/069124 PCT/IB03/00499 5 The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings. In the drawings, Figures 1A-D show a series of steps in a method of providing 5 ground support in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 shows a sectional side view of a so-called "tailings" dam application of a method of dewatering a solid particulate material in accordance with the invention; and Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of a drainage system, 10 for a sport facility, in accordance with the invention. Reference is made to Figures 1A-D of the drawings in which reference numeral 10 refers generally to a subterranean excavation in the form of a tunnel or stope in an underground mine, more particularly, in a deep-level gold mine. 15 The tunnel 10 is defined between an overhead hanging wall 12 and lower foot wall 14 comprising mineral material left in place during drilling/blasting of the tunnel 10. It will be appreciated that it is necessary, in such an underground excavation 10, to provide support for the adjacent ground 20 (usually rock), and, in particular, the hanging wall 12. There is, accordingly, disposed between the foot wall 14 and the hanging wall 12 a plurality of containers, one of which 16 is shown in Figures 1A-D of the drawings. The container 16 is in the form WO 03/069124 PCT/IB03/00499 6 of a porous bag of a geotextile material, such as, for example, woven polypropylene tapes. The bag 16 has a drainage outlet 18, the outlet 18 being defined at an end of a conduit 20 which leads from the bag 16. The conduit 20 is provided by a length of pipe and defines an inlet 22, 5 at an end 24 thereof disposed within the bag 16, the outlet 18, at its end 26 spaced from the end 24, and a flow passage (not shown), which connects the inlet 22 and the outlet 18 in flow communication. The conduit 20 is typically made to lead from the bag 16 by forming a receiving opening, for receiving a length of pipe, in a wall of the bag 16 10 at an operatively lower end 26 of the bag 16 and inserting the end 24 of the pipe through the opening, to be located within the bag 16. A fastener is then received over that part of the material of the bag 16 adjacent to the receiving opening and the pipe, respectively, to secure the pipe within the opening. 15 When it is desired to provide support for the hanging wall 12, waste material from mining operations, so-called "tailings" comprising a slurry of solid particulate material (e.g. soil, small stones and the like) in suspension in water, is pumped into the bag 16 so as to fill the bag 16 with slurry 28 (Figure 1 A). In order for the bagged 20 tailings to render support to the overhead rock of the hanging wall 12, the tailings are to be dewatered and thereby converted from a slurry 28 to solid-state. Under the influence of gravity, water from the tailings suspension percolates downwardly through the particulate material and drains from the bag 16 via pores of the woven material of which the bag 25 16 is formed and/or the outlet 18. After some time, a region of aeration 30 (i.e. of non-saturated particulate material) forms in an operatively upper portion 32 of the bag 16, above a so-called "phreatic line" X WO 03/069124 PCT/IBO3/00499 7 (which defines the upper level of a zone of saturation with water), and a zone 34 of particulate material which is saturated with water is formed in an operatively lower portion 36 of the bag 16 (Figure 1 B). It will be appreciated that, under gravity alone change in the 5 vertical position of the phreatic line X occurs slowly with time and is dependant upon, inter alia, the characteristics of the particulate material, the volume of the bag 16 and the porosity of the bag 16. Sub-atmospheric pressure supply means, for example, in the form of a vacuum or venturi pump (not shown), is connected to an 10 end 26 of the conduit 20 defining the outlet 18 and a negative gauge pressure (sub-atmospheric pressure) is applied across the end 26 of the conduit 20. The suction effect so-created tends to accelerate the drainage of water from the slurry 28 and the associated descent of the phreatic line X within the bag 16 from the operatively upper portion 32 15 of the bag 16 to the lower portion 36 thereof and eventually to a level of the foot wall 14. At this stage, the back-fill material contents of the bag are in a solid state and serve to support the hanging wall 12 which settles onto an operatively upper surface of the bag 16 (Figure 1D). In Figure 2 of the drawings, reference numeral 50 refers 20 generally to a so-called "tailings" dam in which a method of dewatering a solid particulate material in accordance with the invention finds application. The tailings dam 50 is typically designed to impound slurry waste from mining (tailings) behind a retaining wall 52 of the dam 50.
WO 03/069124 PCT/IB03/00499 8 The retaining wall 52 is typically of a solid particulate material 54. In use, tailings are typically dumped via a hydro-cyclone 58 on a so-called "beach" 56 of the dam 50. The tailings slurry comprises solid particles in suspension in water, which water, upon dumping of the tailings on 5 the beach 56, may seep into the particulate material 54 of the adjacent retaining wall 52. As described above, with reference to Figures 1A-D of the drawings, the water percolates downwards under gravity with time. A problem associated with this relatively slow drainage process is 10 weakening of the retaining wall 52 and associated failure thereof. A conduit 60 extends outwardly from the retaining wall 52 at a low elevation, the conduit 60 defining an inlet 62, at an end 64 thereof disposed within the retaining wall 52, and an outlet 66, at an end 68 spaced from the end 64 of the conduit 60 and disposed outside 15 of the retaining wall 52. In order to accelerate drainage of water from the particulate material 54 of the retaining wall 52 via the outlet 66, sub atmospheric pressure supply means (not shown) is connected to the outlet 66 and the material of the retaining wall 52 is subjected to a negative guage pressure. 20 Reference is now made to Figure 3 of the drawings in which reference numeral 70 refers generally to a drainage system for a sport facility in accordance with the invention. The system 70 includes a sub-surface drainage conduit 72 disposed below a surface 74 of a playing field 76 of the sport facility, such as, for example, a cricket field.
WO 03/069124 PCT/IB03/00499 9 Typically, a layer of a geotextile material 73, in sheet form, is inserted between the surface 74 and the conduit 72. The system 70 further includes sub-atmospheric pressure supply means (e.g. a venturi/vacuum pump) (not shown) connected to 5 the conduit 72 for subjecting a sub-surface region 76 adjacent to the conduit 72 to sub-atmospheric pressure, thereby to enhance drainage of water from the region 76 and in turn from the playing surface 74, when required. The Inventor believes that the methods of the invention will 10 facilitate a more rapid drainage of liquid from a liquid saturated material than would occur under the influence of gravity alone. It is believed that the methods of the invention will in turn allow for more rapid "setting"/solidifying of particulate material in suspension thereby more rapidly to yield a support of the material. In its application to the mining 15 industry, this will permit more rapid forward penetration of a seam where support is provided at spaced apart positions in the direction of drilling as progress into the seam is made. Furthermore, it is believed that the invention will alleviate problems associated with the slow drainage of liquids which permeate load bearing structures of particulate 20 material (such as, retaining walls of tailings dams), and compromise the integrity thereof, by accelerating the drainage of liquid therefrom. The Inventor believes that drainage of surface water from playing surfaces of cricket fields, golf courses or other sport facilities may be improved by use of a drainage system of and methods of the invention.
Claims (24)
1. A method of dewatering a solid particulate material, which method includes subjecting the solid particulate material to sub atmospheric pressure. 5
2. A method as claimed in Claim 1, which includes applying a negative pressure to a drain line having an inlet positioned at a low level within the material.
3. A method as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, in which the solid particulate material is contained within a foraminous container, the 10 method including providing an outlet in a wall of the container and applying the sub-atmospheric pressure across the outlet.
4. A method as claimed in Claim 3, which includes providing a conduit which leads from the container at or adjacent an operatively lower end thereof, the conduit defining an inlet and the outlet and a flow 1 5 passage, connecting the inlet and the outlet in flow communication.
5. A method as claimed in Claim 3 or Claim 4, in which the container is in the form of a backfill bag for containing waste or residue from mining, the bag having an inlet whereby the particulate material can be introduced into the bag. WO 03/069124 PCT/IB03/00499 11
6. A container for a solid particulate material, which container includes a foraminous body and at least one conduit leading from the body, the conduit defining an inlet, an outlet and a flow passage, connecting the inlet and the outlet in flow communication. 5
7. A container as claimed in Claim 6, which includes connecting means for connecting an outlet of the conduit in flow communication with sub-atmospheric pressure supply means.
8. A container as claimed in Claim 6 or Claim 7, which is in the form of a backfill bag for containing waste or residue from mining, 10 the bag having an inlet whereby the particulate material can be introduced into the bag and the conduit being positioned at or towards an operatively lower end of the bag.
9. A container as claimed in Claim 8, which is of a geotextile material. 15
10. A sub-terranean ground support installation which includes at least one container containing particulate material disposed between a foot wall and a hanging wall of an underground excavation, the or each container defining at least one drainage outlet; and sub-atmospheric pressure supply means connectable to the at 20 least one drainage outlet for draining liquid from particulate material contained in the container.
11. An installation as claimed in Claim 10, in which the at least one container is in the form of a foraminous bag of a geotextile material, WO 03/069124 PCT/IB03/00499 12 the particulate material is mining waste material and the drainage outlet is positioned at or adjacent an operatively lower end of the container.
12. A method of providing support in a subterranean excavation, which method includes the steps of 5 providing at least one container between a foot wall and a hanging wall of the subterranean excavation; introducing particulate material in suspension into the or each container; and subjecting the particulate material to sub-atmospheric pressure 10 thereby to facilitate dewatering of the particulate material via the at least one drainage outlet.
13. A method as claimed in Claim 12, in which the at least one container is in the form of a foraminous bag of a geotextile material, the particulate material is waste mining material and at least one drainage 15 outlet is defined in the container at or adjacent an operatively lower end thereof.
14. A drainage system, which includes at least one sub-surface drainage conduit; and sub-atmospheric pressure supply means connected to the conduit 20 for subjecting a sub-surface region to sub-atmospheric pressure.
15. A drainage system as claimed in Claim 14, which is installed at a sport facility and which includes a network of drainage pipes disposed beneath a playing surface of the sport facility. WO 03/069124 PCT/IB03/00499 13
16. A method of draining water from a surface, which method includes subjecting a sub-surface region to sub-atmospheric pressure.
17. A method as claimed in Claim 16, in which the surface is that of a sport facility. 5
18. A method as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 3, substantially as herein described and illustrated.
19. A container as claimed in Claim 6, substantially as herein described and illustrated.
20. An installation as claimed in Claim 10, substantially as 10 herein described and illustrated.
21. A method as claimed in Claim 12, substantially as herein described and illustrated.
22. A system as claimed in Claim 14, substantially as herein described and illustrated. 15
23. A method as claimed in Claim 16, substantially as herein described and illustrated.
24. A new method of dewatering a solid particulate material, a new container for a solid particulate material, a new ground support installation, a new method of providing support, a new drainage system WO 03/069124 PCT/IB03/00499 14 or a new method of draining water from a surface, substantially as herein described.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| ZA2002/1318 | 2002-02-15 | ||
| ZA200201318 | 2002-02-15 | ||
| PCT/IB2003/000499 WO2003069124A1 (en) | 2002-02-15 | 2003-02-14 | A method of dewatering a solid particulate material |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| AU2003245068A1 true AU2003245068A1 (en) | 2003-09-04 |
Family
ID=27735425
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU2003245068A Abandoned AU2003245068A1 (en) | 2002-02-15 | 2003-02-14 | A method of dewatering a solid particulate material |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| AU (1) | AU2003245068A1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2003069124A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN110500132B (en) * | 2019-07-23 | 2020-05-22 | 中南大学 | Upward-moving type empty-field subsequent waste rock cementing filling method |
Family Cites Families (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2178933B (en) * | 1985-04-24 | 1989-06-28 | Waertsilae Oy Ab | Improved land drainage system |
| NL8801037A (en) * | 1988-04-21 | 1989-11-16 | Pannevis Bv | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REMOVING LIQUID FROM A MIXTURE OF SOLID AND LIQUID. |
| DE19824453A1 (en) * | 1998-05-30 | 1999-12-02 | Klaus Schulte | Container for backfilling underground workings |
| CA2340066A1 (en) * | 1998-08-14 | 2000-02-24 | Fosroc International Limited | Inflatable mine support |
-
2003
- 2003-02-14 WO PCT/IB2003/000499 patent/WO2003069124A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2003-02-14 AU AU2003245068A patent/AU2003245068A1/en not_active Abandoned
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| WO2003069124A1 (en) | 2003-08-21 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MK4 | Application lapsed section 142(2)(d) - no continuation fee paid for the application |