A Theoretical Model for the Rake Blockage Mitigation in Deep Cone Thickener: A Case Study of Lead-Zinc Mine in China

Deep cone thickener (DCT) is key equipment in cemented paste backfill (CPB) technology. However, rake blockage occurs frequently in DCT during the dewatering process of the unclassified tailings being thickened from dilute slurry to thickened tailings or paste. Rake blockage has disastrous effects on the CPB operation. In order to investigate the influencing factors of rake blockage in DCT, a mathematical model of rake power in DCT was developed. In addition, stacking mud bed (made of thickened tailings) from the DCT in Huize lead-zinc mine (HLZM) in different rake blockage accidents was sampled and tested to investigate the effect of tailings characters on rake blockage. Results indicated that the concentration of the mud bed and the friction between the mud bed and the cone wall contributed to the rake blockage. The concentration and friction were influenced by the high content of coarse particles in the mud bed. Moreover, activating devices for bed mud, as the corrective and preventive action, were developed to prevent the rake blockage, which was valid in HLZM.