Research archive · 1974-2026
Research on slurry pipeline transport, rheology, hydraulic design and the movement of mineral suspensions.
69 papers
69 papers · oldest to newest
Reviews methods for predicting pressure loss in settling and non-settling slurries, including the mechanisms that keep particles suspended in horizontal flow.
Thomas, A.D. and Flint, L.R. (1974). Pressure Drop Prediction for Flow of Solid -Liquid Mixtures in Horizontal Pipes, 5th Australasian Conf. on Hydraulics and Fluid Mechanics, Christchurch, New Zealand, 9-13 Dec., 1974.
Examines how solids concentration, particle size, size distribution, pipe diameter and operating velocity influence slurry pipeline performance.
Thomas, A.D. (1975). Factors Affecting the Hydraulic performance of Slurries, Thermofluids Conf., Brisbane, Australia, 3-5 Dec., 1975.
Tests pressure-drop scale-up methods by using results from 50 mm and 100 mm pipes to predict behaviour in a nominal 300 mm pipe.
Thomas, A.D. (1976). Some results of applying scale-up equations to predict slurry pressure drop in large pipes. Internal Report, M.D. Research Company Pty Ltd, North Ryde, NSW, Australia.
Classifies slurry flow as homogeneous or heterogeneous and recommends scale-up methods for translating small-pipe pressure-drop data to larger pipelines.
Thomas, A.D. (1976). Scale-Up Methods for Pipeline Transport of Slurries, Int. Jnl of Mineral Processing, 3, 1976, pp 51-69.
Sets out a practical hydraulic design philosophy for long-distance slurry pipelines, where operating reliability and scale-up are especially important.
Thomas, A.D. (1977). A Rational Design Philosophy for Long Distance Slurry Pipelines, Chemical Engineering in Australia, 1977.
Develops a method for predicting how particle size and solids properties affect turbulent pressure loss in horizontal slurry flow.
Thomas, A.D. (1977). Particle Size Effects in Turbulent Pipe Flow of Solid -Liquid Suspensions, 6th Australasian Hydraulics and Fluid mechanics Conference, Adelaide, 5-9 December 1977.
Reports pipe-loop tests showing how coarse particles in a fine-particle carrier can alter turbulent pressure loss and laminar-flow deposition.
Thomas, A.D. (1978). Coarse Particles in a Heavy Medium – Turbulent Pressure Drop Reduction and Deposition under Laminar Flow, Hydrotransport 5 Conf., Hannover, 8-11 May, 1978.
Evaluates sliding-bed deposition theory and extends it to account for fine particles and carrier-fluid viscosity when predicting deposit velocity.
Thomas, A.D. (1979). Predicting the Deposit Velocity for Horizontal Turbulent Pipe Flow of Slurries, Int Jnl Multiphase Flow, Vol. 5, pp 113-129, 1979.
Assesses the transport of coarse coal in a stabilised slurry, using a viscous fine-coal carrier to support larger particles during flow and shutdown.
Thomas, A.D. (1979). Pipelining of Coarse Coal as a Stabilized Slurry – Another Viewpoint, 4th Int. Tech. Conf. on Slurry Transportation, Las Vegas, 28-30 March, 1979.
Investigates the settling of coarse particles in a sheared Bingham-plastic carrier, with implications for stabilised slurry transport and restart.
Thomas, A.D. (1979). Settling of Particles in a Horizontally Sheared Bingham Plastic, 1st National Conference on Rheology, Melbourne, 30 May-1 June, 1979.
Explains when critical deposit velocity and laminar-turbulent transition velocity coincide, and when pipe size causes them to diverge.
Thomas, A.D. (1979). The Role of Laminar/Turbulent Transition in Determining the Critical Deposit velocity and the Operating Pressure Gradient for Long Distance Slurry Pipelines, Hydrotransport 6 Conf, Canterbury, U.K., 26-28 Sept. 1979.
Provides a practical overview of slurry rheology and its use in predicting pipeline behaviour from laboratory measurements.
Thomas, A.D. (1981). Slurry Pipeline Rheology, Keynote Lecture, 2 nd National Conf. on Rheology, Sydney, 14-15 May, 1981.
Presents pilot-plant findings from the BHP-BPA coal pipeline program, covering fine, coarse and oil-agglomerated coal slurries.
Rigby, G.R., Jones, C.U., Mainwaring, D.E. and Thomas, A.D. (1982). Slurry Pipeline Studies on the BHP-BPA 30 Tonne per Hour Demonstration Plant, Hydrotransport 8 Conference, Johannesburg, August 1982.
Reviews the potential, development pathways and technical options for coal slurry pipelines in the Australian resources sector.
Cowper, N.T., Venton, P.B. and Thomas, A.D. (1982). The Application, Potential, Development and Options for Coal Slurry Pipelining in Australia, Australian Pipeline Industry Association Convention, Perth, 23-28 October 1982.
Surveys developments in slurry handling and transport, including long-distance pipelines, coarse-solids pumping and energy slurries.
Rigby, G.R. and Thomas, G.R. (1983). Slurry Handling and Transportation Developments, Int. Conf. Bulk Materials Storage, Handling and Transportation, Newcastle, 22-24 August 1983.
Considers how the turbulent pipe-flow behaviour of Bingham plastics can be predicted from measured rheological properties.
Thomas, A.D. (1983). Turbulent Pipe Flow of Bingham Plastics, 3rd National Conf. on Rheology, Melbourne.
Introduces a model of turbulent non-Newtonian flow based on viscosity effects in small dissipative eddies and the resulting viscous sub-layer.
Wilson, K.C. and Thomas, A.D. (1985). A New Analysis of the Turbulent Flow of Non -Newtonian Fluids, Can. Jnl Chem. Engnr, Vol. 63, August 1985.
Uses rotational-viscometer testing to examine how coal type, particle size and concentration affect coal-water slurry rheology.
Thomas, A.D. and Rigby, G.R. (1985). A Study of Some Factors Affecting the Rheology of Coal-Water Slurries, Chemeca Conference, Perth, Sept 1985.
Explores the role of slurry rheology in pipe wear and presents preliminary results from controlled wear testing.
Thomas, A.D. and Cowper, N.T. (1986). The Effect of Rheology on Pipe Wear, 4th National Congress on Rheology, Adelaide, June 3-5, 1986.
Reviews practical techniques for measuring slurry viscosity, concentration and related properties in laboratory and process settings.
Thomas, A.D. (1986), Slurry Measurement Techniques, Concentrated Slurry Technology Symposium, RMIT Melbourne, Australia, December 1986.
Explains how slurry viscosity can help or hinder mineral-processing performance, with particular attention to gold processing.
Thomas, A.D. (1987). Viscosity Effects in Gold Processing, Workshop, Kalgoorlie, Australia, September, 1987.
Compares conventional tailings disposal with alternative approaches intended to reduce water use and improve deposited-tailings behaviour.
Thomas, A.D. (1987). Alternative Tailings Disposal Technologies, Workshop on Environmental Management in the Goldfields, Kalgoorlie, Australia, May 19-20, 1987.
Extends a turbulent non-Newtonian flow analysis to yield-power-law fluids and examines the predicted friction behaviour.
Thomas, A.D. and Wilson, K.C. (1987). New Analysis of Non-Newtonian Turbulent Flow – Yield Power Law Fluids, Can. Jnl Chem Engnr, Vol 65, April 1987.
Evaluates high-density fly-ash transport as a way to reduce water demand, pipeline size and disposal-area management requirements.
Thomas, A.D. (1988). High Density Coal Ash Slurry Transport, Lecture Paper, Power Generation School, University of W.A., January 1988.
Examines methods for measuring slurry viscosity online and their application to mineral-processing control.
Thomas, A.D., Cowper, N.T. and Venton, P.B. (1988). On-Line Viscosity Measurement for the Mineral Processing Industry, 10th International Congress on Rheology, Sydney, Australia, August.
Uses pilot-plant results to compare alternative coal pipeline concepts and their hydraulic performance.
Rigby, G.R. and Thomas, A.D. (1988), Pilot Plant Tests Comparing Various Alternative Coal Pipelining Options, Bulk Solids Handling, Vol. 8, No. 6, December 1988.
Describes the design and performance of a shore-parallel sand trap used for mechanical sand bypassing.
Foster, D. Brindley, R., Thomas, A.D. and Blake, K. (1990), Sand bypassing using the shore parallel trap, I.E.Aust, Ports and Harbour Conference, Melbourne, 28-30 August.
Reviews the hydraulic and operational issues involved in transporting lump coal by pipeline.
Thomas, A.D. and Cowper, N.T. (1992), Technical Considerations for Pipeline Transport of Lump Coal, Int. Conf. on Bulk Materials Handling and Transportation, Symposium on Freight Pipelines, Wollongong, Australia 6-8 July 1992.
Investigates how adding coarse particles changes the measured rheology of a fine-particle slurry.
Thomas, A.D. (1999). The Influence of Coarse Particles on the Rheology of Fine Particle Slurries, Rheology in the Mineral Industry II, United Engineering Foundation Conference, Turtle Bay, Hawaii, March 1999.
Connects rotational-viscometer measurements with observed laminar and turbulent behaviour in slurry pipelines.
Thomas, A.D. (2000). Relationship between Viscometer Measurements and Laminar and Turbulent Pipe Flow, Keynote Lecture presented at 10 th International Conference Transport and Sedimentation of Solid Particles, Wroclaw, Poland, September 2000.
Studies how additives change energy loss during pipeline transport of fly-ash mixtures.
Thomas, A.D. and Sobota, J. (2002). Influence of additives on energy loss in pipeline flow of flyash mixtures. Hydrotranport 15 Conference, Banff, Canada.
Compares the design and operation of the 300 km Century and Antamina concentrate pipelines in Australia and Peru.
Thomas, A.D., Gaultier, P and Hoskins, M. (2002). Two 300 km Concentrate Pipelines Compared. Century Zinc/Lead Concentrate Pipeline, Australia and Antamina Copper/Zinc Concentrate Pipeline, Peru. Hydrotransport 15 Conference, Banff, Canada.
Reviews the development, current practice and future prospects of stabilised laminar slurry flow.
Thomas, A.D., Pullum, L. and Wilson, K.C. (2004). Stabilised Laminar Slurry Flow: Review, Trends and Prognosis. Keynote Paper presented at Hydrotransport 16 Conference, Santiago, Chile, April 2004.
Presents an analytical model for predicting laminar-turbulent transition in Bingham-plastic pipe flow.
Wilson, K.C. and Thomas, A.D. (2006). Analytic model of laminar -turbulent transition for Bingham plastics, Can. Jnl Chem. Eng., October 2006.
Examines rough-wall effects and turbulent-transition behaviour for Bingham plastics.
Thomas, A.D. and Wilson, K.C. (2007). Rough-wall and turbulent transition analyses for Bingham plastics. Hydrotransport 17 Conference, Cape Town, South Africa.
Shows how rheological factors influence the feasibility and hydraulic design of a proposed 180 km nickel-ore pipeline.
Thomas, A.D. and Park, L.J. (2007). Feasibility study of a 180 km nickel ore pipeline – rheological factors influencing slurry pipeline design. Hydrotransport 17 Conference, Cape Town, South Africa.
Explains why conventional air-release valves used on long-distance water pipelines are generally unnecessary on slurry pipelines.
Thomas, A.D. and Cowper, N.T. Snr (2008). Air release valves (ARV) are conventionally installed on long distance water pipelines. Why ARVs are not required on slurry pipelines. Presented at 14 th International Conference on Transportation and Sedimentation of Solid Particles, 23 -27 June, St Petersburg, Russia.
Describes the hydraulic design of the OneSteel Whyalla magnetite-slurry pipeline and its return-water pipeline.
Cowper, N.T., Thomas, A.D. and Dippenaar, J (2008). The OneSteel Whyalla 62 km magnetite slurry and return water pipelines. 14th International Conference on Transportation and Sedimentation of Solid Particles, 23-27 June, St Petersburg, Russia.
Develops a hybrid rheological model for predicting turbulent pipe flow of non-Newtonian fluids.
Wilson, K.C. and Thomas, A.D. (2008). Hybrid rheological model for predicting non -Newtonian turbulent pipe flow (2008). 14th International Conference on Transportation and Sedimentation of Solid Particles, 23-27 June, St Petersburg, Russia.
Reviews the historical development of slurry pipelines, contemporary practice and likely future directions.
Cowper, N.T. Snr, Cowper, N.T. Jnr and Thomas, A.D. (2009). Slurry pipelines:Past, present and future. I.E. Aust, Australian Journal of Multi-Disciplinary Engineering, Vol 7 No. 2.
Provides a technical comparison of competing coal pipeline options and their operating implications.
Cowper, N.T., Thomas, A.D. and Sobota, J. (2010). A technical appraisal of coal pipeline options. Hydrotransport 18 Conference, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 22-24 September.
Presents a method for determining inherent slurry viscosity and illustrates broader rheological trends using a database of more than 200 slurries.
Thomas, A.D. (2010). Method of determining the inherent viscosity of a slurry and other rheological trends as illustrated by a data bank of over 200 different slurries. Hydrotransport 18 Conference, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 22-24 September.
Discusses hydraulic design issues in Newmont's Boddington tailings pipelines and compares predictions with operating data.
Thomas, A.D., Hart, S, Parker, B. and Edwards, I (2010). Newmont’s Boddington Gold Mine tailings pipelines. Hydraulic design issues and comparisons with operating data. Hydrotransport 18 Conference, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 22-24 September.
Applies slurry pipeline experience to the analysis and prediction of tailings beach slopes.
Thomas, A.D. and Fitton, T (2011). Analysis of tailings beach slopes based on slurry pipeline experience. Paste 2011 Conference, Perth, Western Australia, 5-7th April.
Examines how sand characteristics were evaluated and selected for pumped beach replenishment in Adelaide.
Deans, J.A., Tucker, R.T. and Thomas, A.D. (2011). Pumped beach replenishment in Adelaide: Selecting the design sand., Coasts and Ports 2011 Conference, 28 -30 September 2011, Adelaide, South Australia. (Engineers Australia).
Traces the development of iron-ore slurry pipelines and considers their present applications and future role.
Cowper, N.T Snr, Cowper, N.T. Jnr, and Thomas, A.D. (2011) Iron ore slurry pipelines – Past present and future. IRR Conference, Iron Ore Project Development and Logistics, 27-28 June 2011, Perth.
Reviews recent slurry pipelines and explains how particle size affects the spacing of pump stations on long-distance systems.
Thomas, A.D. Cowper, N.T. Jnr and Cowper, N.T. Snr (2011). Review of recent slurry pipelines and the role of particle size in determining the distance between pump stations in a long distance slurry pipeline, IRR Slurry Pipelines Summit, 28-30 November, Perth.
Surveys technical innovations intended to improve the hydraulic and energy efficiency of slurry transport.
Thomas, A.D. (2012). Innovations – Improving the efficiency of slurry transport, IRR 2nd Annual Slurry Pipelines Conference, Fremantle, Western Australia, 20-21 Nov, 2012.
Describes the design of the Century zinc-lead concentrate pipeline, notable for its exceptionally long single-pump-station reach.
Thomas, A.D. (2012). The design of the Century zinc-lead concentrate pipeline – the longest single pump station slurry pipeline in the world, IRR 2 nd Annual Slurry Pipelines Conference, Fremantle, Western Australia, 20-21 Nov, 2012.
Reviews the development of high-concentration laminar transport and the major hydraulic and operational issues it presents.
Thomas, A.D. (2012). High concentration laminar flows: Historical development and major issues, IRR 2nd Annual Slurry Pipelines Conference, Fremantle, Western Australia, 20-21 Nov, 2012.
Focuses on innovations that improve the efficiency of iron-ore slurry transport.
Thomas, A.D. (2013) Innovations – Improving the efficiency of slurry transport, focusing on iron ore. AJM Conference, Iron Ore – Improving Process and Beneficiation. 19 -20 March 2013, Perth, Western Australia.
Presents a convenient approach for correlating rheological data across slurry types and test conditions.
Thomas, A.D. and Sellgren, A. (2013). A convenient method of correlating rheology data, 16th International Conference on Transport and Sedimentation of Solids particles, Rostock, Germany, 18 -20 September, 2013.
Describes technical innovations incorporated into the design of the Nerang sand-bypass system.
Thomas, A.D. (2013) Technical innovations in the design of the Nerang sands bypass system. IRR 3rd Annual Slurry Pipelines Conference, Perth, Western Australia, 13-14 November 2013.
Examines control strategies for maximising tailings concentration while reducing the water consumed in pipeline transport.
Thomas, A.D. (2013) Controlling a tailings pipeline to maximize pumping concentration and minimize water consumption. IRR 3rd Annual Slurry Pipelines Conference, Perth, Western Australia, 13-14 November 2013.
Argues that many mining slurries flow homogeneously and identifies deposit velocity as the central design parameter.
Thomas, A.D. (2014) Slurries of most interest to the mining industry flow homogeneously and the deposit velocity is the key parameter. Hydrotransport 19 Conference, Golden, Colorado, 24-26 Sept 2014.
Compares fixed mechanical options for bypassing sand at river entrances.
Cowper, N.T., Nankervis, L. and Thomas, A.D. (2014) Options for fixed mechanical sand bypassing at river entrances. Hydrotransport 19 Conference, Golden, Colorado, 24-26 Sept 2014.
Presents recycling fine slurry as an alternative to paste technology for co-disposal of coarse coal rejects.
Thomas, A.D., Cowper, N.T. (Snr) and Whitton, S. (2015) RFS (recycling fine slurry) – an alternative to paste for coarse rejects co-disposal in Queensland coal mines, Paste 2015 Conference, Cairns, Queensland, Australia, 5-7 May
Modifies the Wilson-Judge deposit-velocity equation to extend its use to finer particles and larger pipe diameters.
Thomas, A.D. (2015), A modification to the Wilson & Judge deposit velocity equation, extending its applicability to finer particles and larger pipe sizes, 17th International Conference on Transport & Sedimentation of Solid Particles, Delft, Netherlands, 22-25 September 2015
Describes the hydraulic design of the Sar Cheshmeh gravity-flow tailings pipeline in Iran.
Thomas, A.D., Rieschiek, R. and Roshdieh, A. (2017), Design of the Sar Cheshmeh gravity flow tailings pipeline, Iran. Hydrotransport 20 Conf., Melbourne, 3-5 May 2017
Reviews the historical development of slurry pipeline design methods and the lessons carried into modern practice.
Thomas, A.D. and Cowper, N.T. (Snr) (2017), The design of slurry pipelines – historical aspects, Hydrotransport 20 Conf., Melbourne, 3-5 May 2017.
Revisits non-Newtonian turbulent flow and transition, with particular attention to the Wilson-Thomas theory.
Thomas, A.D. (2018), Some observations regarding non -Newtonian turbulent pipe flow and transition, especially in relation to the Wilson-Thomas (1985) theory, Paste 2018, Perth, Australia.
Investigates how entrained micro-bubbles of air affect slurry flow behaviour and pipeline design.
Thomas, A.D., Whitton,S and Cowper, N.T. (2019), The effect of entrained micro bubbles of air on slurry pipeline flow behaviour and design, 19th Int. Conf. on Transport and Sedimentation of Solid Particles Conference, Capetown, South Africa 24th to 27th Sept 2019.
Examines deposition behaviour in turbulent pipe flow for Bingham-plastic slurries with a wide particle-size distribution.
Thomas, A.D. (2019), Deposition of wide size distribution, Bingham plastic slurries in turbulent pipe flow. 19th Int. Conf. on Transport and Sedimentation of Solid Particles, Capetown, South Africa 24th to 27th Sept 2019.
Reviews methods for predicting deposit velocity in medium-particle-size slurries and compares their practical applicability.
Thomas, A.D. (2020), A review of deposit velocity prediction methods for medium particle size slurries, Electronic Journal of Polish Agricultural Universities, Sept 2020.
Studies solids deposition during shutdown, blockage risk and restart behaviour in inclined slurry pipelines.
Pirouz, B, Javadi, S. and Thomas, A.D. (2023), Inclined slurry pipelines – Solids deposition at shutdowns, Pipe blockage and restart. IHA Hydrotransport 21 Conf., Edmonton, Canada, 3-5 May 2023.
Shows how rotational-viscometer results can be used to predict slurry behaviour in pipe flow.
Thomas, A.D. (2023), Using rotational viscometer test results to predict pipe flow of slurries, IHA Hydrotransport 21 Conf., Edmonton, Canada, 3-5 May 2023.
Compares predicted deposit velocities with measured operating velocities in four long-distance concentrate pipelines.
Thomas,A.D. (2023), Comparing predicted deposit velocities with operating velocities in four long - distance concentrate pipelines, 20th Int. Conf. on Transport and Sedimentation of Solid Particles, Wroclaw, Poland, 26-29 September 2023.
Explains how the Savage River magnetite pipeline benefits from turbulent pressure-gradient reduction in Bingham-plastic flow.
Thomas, A.D. and Zhao, G. (2025), The Savage River magnetite pipeline utilizes turbulent pressure gradient reduction of Bingham plastics. IHA Hydrotransport 22 Conf., Prague, Czech Republic, 27-30 May 2025.
Characterises the flow behaviour of paste and thickened tailings for pipeline-transport design.
Javadi, S, Thomas, A.D. and Pirouz, B (2026), Paste and thickened tailings transportation: flow characterization, Paste Conference, Lisbon, Portugal, 14-16 April 2026.
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