In Situ Real Time Measurement of Solids Content Using Hybrid Optical and Gamma-Ray Techniques for Tailings Management

Abstract

This study reports the development of a real time in situ analyzer for solids content measurement at different depths in oil sands tailings ponds. The analyzer uses an optical light scattering technique for the measurements and a low-level source (below license limits) gamma-ray transmission technique for in situ calibration. The technology has been successfully demonstrated at laboratory-scale, and a prototype is currently being developed for large-scale testing.