Dewatering method and agent
AssigneeFlorida Institute of Phosphate Research
InventorHassan E. El-Shall
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of dewatering mineral-containing sludge by adding to the sludge (a) an aqueous solution or emulsion of acrylamide polymer flocculating agent and (b) a microfiber additive. By using this method, such mineral-containing sludges can be quickly dewatered into a cake having 25-35% solids which can then be further processed to a 60% solids-containing material. The method is particularly suitable for use in methods for treating, recovering, rehabilitating and recycling residue of mining operations. The method also enhances the filtration characteristics of certain mineral residues. With modification, the method is also suitable for dewatering organic sludges. Kaolin clay and red mud from the Bayer process are disclosed among the mineral-containing sludges which may be dewatered in accordance with the process of the invention.
Claims35
A method of dewatering a mineral-containing aqueous sludge wherein the method comprises
- (a) disintegrating a fibrous material into a pulp of microfibers;
- (b) providing an aqueous solution or emulsion of flocculating agent;
- (c) activating flocculation of the solids in said sludge by introducing to the sludge said pulp of microfibers and said aqueous solution or emulsion of flocculating agent;
- (d) allowing an accumulation of flocs having an average diameter of about 2 mm or greater to form;
- and
- (e) recovering and separating the floc accumulation from the water of the aqueous sludge by a dewatering process.
A method of recycling mineral solids extracted during mining operations comprising
- (a) providing an aqueous sludge of said mineral solids;
- (b) disintegrating a fibrous material into a pulp of microfibers;
- (c) providing an aqueous solution of emulsion of flocculating agent;
- (d) activating flocculation of the mineral solids in said aqueous sludge by introducing to the sludge said pulp of microfibers and said aqueous solution or emulsion of flocculating agent;
- (e) allowing an accumulation of flocs having an average diameter of about 2 mm or greater to form;
- (f) recovering and separating the floc accumulation from the water of the aqueous sludge by a dewatering apparatus;
- and
- (g) returning said recovered floc accumulation to the earth.
A method for dewatering an organic sludge wherein the method comprises
- (a) disintegrating a fibrous material into a pulp of microfibers;
- (b) providing an aqueous solution or emulsion of flocculating agent;
- (c) activating flocculation of organic solids in said sludge by introducing to the sludge said pulp of microfibers and said aqueous solution or emulsion of flocculating agent;
- (d) allowing an accumulation of flocs having an average diameter of 2 mm or greater to form;
- and
- (e) recovering and separating the floc accumulation from the sludge by a dewatering apparatus.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.