Hydraulic Scale-Model Tests For Slurry Handling Equipment

The paper presents a basic summary of the approach to hydraulic scale-model tests as may typically be applicable to slurry flow situations. A case study is presented illustrating how hydraulic scale-model tests can be of significant benefit in evaluating the performance of novel or unproven slurry handling equipment. In this case the equipment tested was a fan-shaped expansion piece used to spread the discharge from a launder over the full width of a dewatering screen. The tests showed that the device did indeed distribute the slurry flow both in terms of volume and solids mass, but not perfectly uniformly. Unfortunately the equipment was not taken beyond the model test phase. The scale-model test approach did, however, prove to be very useful as it is considered to have provided a good indication of the expected performance of the full-size unit. Significantly, this was achieved at very low cost compared to the cost of installing the device into the proposed plant and having to later change it out for an alternative or live with the less than optimal performance. The paper illustrates the value that can derive from applying hydraulic scale-model testing techniques to evaluating the performance of new or unusual slurry handling equipment. There is particular value in situations that do not lend themselves to numerical modelling.