# US 11,306,015 B2 · Treatment of sludges and flocculants using insoluble mineral colloidal suspensions > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,306,015 B2 - Document ID: US11306015B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/815,052 - Filed: 2020-03-11 - Published: 2020-12-03 - Granted: 2022-04-19 - Earliest claimed: 2016-08-24 - Assignees: Heritage Research Group - Applicants: Heritage Research Group - Inventors: Perry Eyster; Bynum Henson; Christopher D. Weber - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11306015B2 ## CPC - C02F 11/143: using inorganic substances (C02F11/148 takes precedence) - B01D 21/262: {by using a centrifuge} - B03D 1/082: {of the froth product, e.g. washing} - B03D 1/087: {of the sediment, e.g. regrinding} - C02F 1/02: by heating (methods of steam generation F22B; preheating boiler feed-water or accumulating preheated boiler feed-water F22D) - C02F 1/385: {by centrifuging suspensions (centrifuges B04B)} - C02F 1/5245: {using basic salts, e.g. of aluminium and iron} - C02F 11/145: using calcium compounds - C02F 11/148: Combined use of inorganic and organic substances, being added in the same treatment step - B03D 3/02: Coagulation - B03D 3/06: Flocculation - C02F 1/5236: {using inorganic agents} - C02F 11/127: by centrifugation - C02F 2103/365: {from petrochemical industry (e.g. refineries)} - C02F: TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE (separation in general B01D; special arrangements on waterborne vessels of installations for treating water, waste water or sewage, e.g. for producing fresh water, B63J; adding materials to water to prevent corrosion C23F; treating radioactively-contaminated liquids G21F9/04; regeneration of reactants for recirculation into processes, see the relevant places for the processes) - B01D: SEPARATION (separating solids from solids by wet methods B03B, B03D; by pneumatic jigs or tables B03B; by other dry methods B07; magnetic or electrostatic separation of solid materials from solid materials or fluids, separation by high-voltage electric fields B03C; centrifuges, vortex apparatus B04; presses per se for squeezing-out liquid from liquid-containing material B30B9/02; treatment of water C02F, e.g. softening by ion-exchange C02F1/42; {arrangements of air intake cleaners in gas turbine plants F02C7/05} ; arrangements or mounting of filters in air-conditioning, air-humidification or ventilation F24F13/28) - B03D: FLOTATION; DIFFERENTIAL SEDIMENTATION (sedimentation in general B01D21/00; in combination with other separation of solids B03B; sink-float separation B03B5/28; detergents, soaps C11D) ## Abstract A method of separating sludge which involves adding an insoluble mineral colloidal suspension into an industrial sludge to destabilize the industrial sludge and separating destabilized components of the industrial sludge. The insoluble mineral colloidal suspension includes magnesium hydroxide. In an alternative embodiment dry finely divided magnesium hydroxide can be added and then dispersed into an industrial sludge. Conventional flocculants and/or coagulants can also be added. Conventional physical separation processes can be used to separate the destabilized industrial sludge. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of separating sludges which comprises: obtaining an industrial sludge, wherein the industrial sludge comprises DNF bottom sludge and top float; adding an insoluble magnesium hydroxide colloidal suspension into the industrial sludge to destabilize the industrial sludge; and separating destabilized components of the industrial sludge. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A method of separating sludges according to claim 1, wherein a flocculant and/or coagulant is added to the industrial sludge to aid in the separation of the destabilized components of the industrial sludge. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A method of separating sludges according to claim 1, wherein the industrial sludge is refinery sludge. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A method of separating sludges according to claim 1, wherein the insoluble magnesium hydroxide colloidal suspension has a solids percent by weight of at least 25%. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A method of separating sludges according to claim 1, wherein the insoluble magnesium hydroxide colloidal suspension has a solids percent of up to 65%. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A method of separating sludges according to claim 1, wherein the insoluble magnesium hydroxide colloidal suspension has a solids percent by weight that ranges from 25% to 65%. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A method of separating sludges according to claim 1, the method further comprising heating the combined mixture comprising industrial sludge and insoluble magnesium hydroxide colloidal suspension to 170° F. from ambient temperature. ### Claim 8 A process for physically separating components of an industrial sludge, wherein the industrial sludge comprises DNF bottom sludge and top float, the improvement comprising adding an insoluble mineral colloidal suspension into the sludge prior to physically separating components of the sludge. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) A process for physically separating components of an industrial sludge according to claim 8, wherein the process for physically separating the components of the sludge includes at least one of gas-assisted flotation, gravity separation and centrifugal separation. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) A process for physically separating components of an industrial sludge according to claim 8, wherein the process for physically separating the components of the sludge comprises one of dissolved nitrogen floatation and dissolved air flotation. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) A process for physically separating components of an industrial sludge according to claim 8, wherein the process for physically separating the components of the sludge comprises the use of an American Petroleum Institute Separator. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) A process for physically separating components of an industrial sludge according to claim 8, wherein the insoluble mineral colloidal suspension has a solids percent by weight of at least 25%. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) A process for physically separating components of an industrial sludge according to claim 8, wherein the insoluble mineral colloidal suspension has a solids percent of up to 65%. ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) A process for physically separating components of an industrial sludge according to claim 8, wherein the insoluble mineral colloidal suspension has a solids percent that ranges from 25% to 65%.