Technology for in-situ real time measurements of solids content in settling tailings

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In this project we will develop an in-situ monitoring system which can be submerged in a fluid tailing pond to measure the amount of solids in a solid-liquid mixture at various depths of the fluid. The subsurface solids content analyzer combining optical and safe gamma ray methods for in-line continuous monitoring of oil sands processes. The project is a collaborative effort of University of Alberta (U of A) and Centre for Oil Sands Sustainability (COSS), an applied research centre at Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT), in partnership with Canada's Oil Sands Innovation Alliance (COSIA). We will thoroughly study the processes in laser light scattering from settling particulates and gamma ray propagation in complex materials (tailings). Based on this knowledge, we will design, build and test hybrid optical-gamma ray in-situ solid content analyzer systems for fluid tailings ponds. The technology can be implemented at remote oil sands tailing ponds to measure settling of tailing in real time with lateral and depth spatial resolutions. This technology can be incorporated by oil sands industry into the overall design of their oil sands projects to deliver a more effective process and improved environmental performance.