Abstract: Bauxite tailing sludge is a high moisture content slurry formed in the process of alumina production, which has the characteristics of fine particle size, large specific surface area, high water content and difficult to settle in the suspension liquid. In order to further study the sedimentation mechanism of bauxite slurry under the applied electric field, the sedimentation tests of the sludge under different direct electric field (0V, 9V, 12V, 24V, 36V) were conducted. During the sediment of the aluminum sludge, the clear liquid height, transient and average sediment velocity of the particles were real-time monitored. The electrophoretic phenomenon in the aluminum sludge was also observed and its effect on the sedimentation of the mine sludge were also discussed. The results show that the sedimentation effect of the mud is enhanced with the increase of the electric field magnitude. Because of the negative charge of the mud particles, as the electric field magnitude increases, the particles of the mud will accelerate the movement of the anode to the metal electrode plate. Under a given DC voltage condition (0V, 9V, 12V, 24V, 36V), the voltage of 36V should be the threshold voltage and 48V is the "upper limit voltage" for the applied electric field.

Key words: Mine Sludge, Sediment of Mine Sludge Under the Electrical Field, Clear Liquid Height, Electrophoretic Phenomenon