Process for obtaining purified water from wet sludges and slurries of solid materials

A process for obtaining purified water from wet sludges and slurries of peats, lignites and coals containing at least about 20 percent by weight water which comprises reacting the water in said sludges and slurries with a clathrate forming agent selected from the group consisting of low molecular weight hydrocarbons, low molecular weight halogenated hydrocarbons, halogens and carbon dioxide at a temperature between 32.degree. and 70.degree. F. and a pressure below 900 psia to form a three phase mixture consisting essentially of (1) an unreacted liquid clathrate forming agent phase, (2) a solid cathrate phase and (3) a dewatered solids phase in a matrix of said liquid clathrate forming agent, separating said clathrate forming agent, said cathrate solids phase and said solid dewatered solids phase, and decomposing said clathrate solids phase into purified water and said clathrate forming agent.