EKS Technology Introduction Process developed for in situ FFT densification Uses unique electrical field management [EKS IP] orders of magnitude lower electrical energy than previous electrophoresis methods Application for Fines-Dominated Deposits
Current status Technology Status Bench to 1 m 3 lab scale and 2-D 5-metre tests completed 150m 3 scale tests planned for summer 2014 Tests show reduced unit energy requirement as scale and electrode spacing is increased
Test Parameters Confirmed 1,000L treatment feasibility 1000L Volume Vessel size: 1m x 0.75m x 1m Starting solids content 41.6% solids/wt Shell MFT Voltage gradient: 1 to 2v/cm Duration: 14 days Assessed Release water quality and volume Horizontal voltage gradient Post-treatment shear strength and moisture analysis Qualitative mapping of electrical field around electrodes
14 Days Treatment 330 L Water Separated 56.9% Solids Up to 200 kpa Shear Strength 109 kwh Used $8.72/m 3 treated $15.53/Dry tonne 330kW/m 3 Water Recovered
7 Weeks Treatment 260 L Water Separated 49.4% Solids Up to 135 kpa Shear Strength 190 kwh Used ~30% Volume Reduction Greater electrode spacing may be possible
5m Vertical Electrode Spacing Test % Solids Distribution
10 Days Treatment ~490L Water Separated ~40% Solids 39 kwh Used ~50% Volume Reduction Greater electrode spacing may be possible
Water Chemistry Water suitable for process water recycling May need minor conditioning to meet site specific requirements
Predictive Model Predictive model developed based on process fundamentals and refined with actual test results Provides practical support for selection of optimal configuration parameters Treatment duration Electric field strength Electrode material and spacing Provides a basis to determine the cost/benefits of reclaiming tailings against operational metrics such as: space, material handling, volume reduction, etc
Water Cap Could be an in-pit deposit such as lake bottom Could be an above grade pond Vertical electrode arrangement with target densities dependent on final reclamation plans End Pit Lake MFT Electrodes EKR Process Extract water and compact tailing in-place increasing capacity of the deposit. Extracted Water Compacted Tailings Post Treatment
In-place dewatering with fines separation/compaction to improve fines capture in settling basins and disposal areas Makes use of existing facilities for in situ treatment of tailings Works on a range of solids contents Extracted water is suitable for return for process use Horizontal or Vertical Electrode arrangement
Deposit Height (m) 30 20 10 Year 10 Deposit Completed Year 5 Year 1 Potential Applications Densification of TT Deposits Year 15 Capping Completed 0 40 50 60 70 80 90 Total Solids Content(%) Source: Tailings & Mine Waste November 3 rd -6 th, 2013 Year 22 Year 30 Year 85 Issue: Upper part of deposit will not consolidate or support sand capping. Alternatives: 1. Sand raining Challenging distribution Prone to failures, textiles may be needed 2. Desiccation of surface Shallow layer - then shuts down Ditching needed to deepen 3. Slow, hazardous access 4. Frozen surface access Mechanical spreading Slow, hazardous, expensive Solution: Densify upper 5 m using EKS technology sufficient to carry hydraulically placed sand cap and surface soil.
1.7m 10m 6m 2.5m 2.5m 2014 Vertical large scale testing at C-FER facility in Edmonton 5m 150m 3 3D test Validate vertical electrode configuration/spacing Confirm reduced energy at larger scale Refine predictive model 2014 Horizontal large scale testing at C-FER facility in Edmonton Demonstrate horizontal electrode configuration 40m 3 3D test Refine predictive model 2015 Field Demonstration Scale dependent on technical requirements and facility availability 2016 Commercial Implementation
Funding Proposal in front of AI-EES Shell committed for 2014 scale up work program SDTC funding has been obtained for 2014 & 2015 Initiating dialogue with additional partners
Contacts Paul Mankowski: pmankowski@shaw.ca Phone: (403) 669-8216 Jim Micak: Jim.Micak@Electrokineticsolutions.com Phone: (416) 203-7222, ext. 225 Go to http:// for more videos and more contact information.