Slurry treatment apparatus

A system for treating a slurry, comprising:

• a flocculent dosing and flocculating device;
• and
• apparatus for treating a flocculated slurry with an initial liquid content, the apparatus comprising:
• a treatment arrangement defining a treatment zone in which the slurry is supported on a treatment surface of the treatment arrangement;
• a feed arrangement for feeding slurry into the apparatus;
• a discharge through which output product is discharged from the treatment zone, wherein the treatment surface is configured such that interaction between the treatment surface and the slurry causes at least a portion of liquid within the slurry to be separated therefrom, such that a liquid content of the output product is lower than the initial liquid content, wherein the treatment arrangement is formed by a flexible sheet,
• wherein the flocculant dosing and flocculating device receives a feed of slurry, the feed of slurry being flocculated by dosing the slurry and allowing flocs to be generated, the flocculated slurry being provided via the feed arrangement of the apparatus to the treatment arrangement of the apparatus.

A method for treating a flocculated slurry with an initial liquid content, the method comprising the steps of:

• 1. providing an apparatus for treating a flocculated slurry with an initial liquid content;
• 2. feeding the slurry through a feed arrangement onto a treatment arrangement of the apparatus;
• 3. causing the slurry to be displaced relative to the treatment arrangement;
• 4. separating at least a portion of liquid from the slurry as it is displaced relative to the treatment arrangement;
• and
• 5. discharging an output product through a discharge of the apparatus, which output product has a liquid content which is lower than the initial liquid content, wherein step 2 is preceded by the following steps:
• 2a) receiving a feed of slurry from a supply;
• 2b) utilising a flocculant dosing and flocculating device to flocculate the slurry;
• and
• 2c) feeding the flocculated slurry to the charge opening.
• wherein step 2b) includes adding a high molecular weight polyethylene oxide flocculating reagent to the slurry to flocculate the slurry.