Abstract: The invention relates to the treatment of mine tailings in the form aqueous effluents comprising solid particles. With the process of the invention it is possible to separate all or part of the water from an aqueous effluent comprising solid particles. This process comprises (a) adding to the effluent at least one anionic modified natural polymer selected from among anionic guar gums and/or anionic starches, then (b) adding at least one cationic modified natural polymer selected from among cationic starches and/or cationic dextrans and/or cationic chitosans. The invention also relates to a composition comprising an aqueous effluent comprising solid particles treated with an anionic modified natural polymer and a cationic modified natural polymer.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for improving performance of flocculants in an industrial production process. Methods include pH triggered cross-linking reaction between a flocculating agent, such as dextran, and a composition comprising a boronic acid-containing polymer. The pH trigger can be provided by a fluid having a pH of 8 or more. The production process can be a Bayer Process and the fluid is caustic liquor or slurry in the fluid circuit of the Bayer, wherein the reaction time is reduced over conventional methods and the cross-linked dextran composition effectuates improved flocculation of the trihydrate particles.

Abstract: A transitional treatment composition and methods of treating coal refuse are provided. The transitional treatment composition comprises an anionic acrylate-acrylamide copolymer having from about 30 mole percent to about 50 mole percent (meth)acrylate, from about 50 mole percent to about 70 mole percent (meth)acrylamide, and a reduced specific viscosity of from about 18 dL/g to about 30 dL/g. The transitional treatment composition can be made down in an aqueous liquid.

Abstract: There is disclosed a multivalent cation containing copolymer derived from one or more ethylenically unsaturated acids. The copolymer has the following characteristics: (a) an intrinsic viscosity of at least about 3 dl/g when measured in 1 M Na Cl solution at 25° C.; (b) the copolymer is derived from a monomer mixture comprising an ethylenically unsaturated acid and at least one comonomer, the ethylenically unsaturated acid present in an amount in the range of from about % to about 65% by weight; and (c) a residual comonomer content is less than 1000 ppm when the comonomer is an acrylamide. The copolymer, inter alia, is useful as a flocculant for treating an aqueous slurry comprising particulate material, preferably tailings from a mining operation.

Abstract: A dosing apparatus for dosing a powder product inside containers includes a hopper provided with an inner cavity for containing the product, a lower portion provided with a supply duct with a terminal aperture for the outflow of the product, a metering screw rotating inside the supply duct and a washing manifold provided with an inlet opening and containing at least a sonotrode. In a cleaning configuration of the dosing apparatus, the washing manifold is connected to the hopper coupling the inlet opening to the supply duct, so as to receive and contain a washing liquid introduced in the hopper. The sonotrode is activated to produce alternate pressure waves capable of generating in the washing liquid air bubbles adapted to propagate towards the inner cavity through the supply duct, and to implode thus creating shock waves.

Abstract: Provided is a method for separating particles, a separation apparatus, and a separation system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for intensive recirculating aquaculture are provided herein. An example system includes water sourced from a first segment of a saline aquifer, a recirculating aquaculture system receiving the sourced water and producing discharge water, and a water discharge point located within second segment of the saline aquifer disposed below the first segment of the saline aquifer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems for removing particulate matter from a fluid, comprising a particle functionalized by attachment of at least one activating group or amine functional group, wherein the modified particle complexes with the particulate matter within the fluid to form a removable complex therein. The particulate matter has preferably been contacted, complexed or reacted with a tethering agent. The system is particularly advantageous to removing particulate matter from a tailing solution.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems for removing particulate matter from a fluid, comprising a particle functionalized by attachment of at least one activating group or amine functional group, wherein the modified particle complexes with the particulate matter within the fluid to form a removable complex therein. The particulate matter has preferably been contacted, complexed or reacted with a tethering agent. The system is particularly advantageous to removing particulate matter from a fluid waste stream following mining or ore processing operations.

Abstract: A process for removing water from particulate material slurries produced by horizontal drilling, vertical drilling and from dredging of bodies of water is disclosed. The process comprises a first step of water removal accomplished by diffusing a chemical reagent into the particulate material source stream that results in separating out a clean water fraction and a second step of reacting the sludge with a demulsifier and a superabsorbent polymer that locks onto the water in the remaining slurry thus turning the slurry into a solid crust. The crust is ground into a particulate form and disposed in a landfill. The combined effect of the treatments is the thickening of the particulate material slurry from about 10% solids to about 25% solids. The removed water may be used for further drilling and drinking. Another benefit is the reduced volume of the particulate material that needs to be disposed in landfills.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for improving dewatering of mineral slurry. The method comprises adding an R-Succinic Compound (such as octadecenyl succinic acid, hexadecenyl succinic acid, and/or dodecenyl succinic acid) to the slurry. The R-Succinic Compound removes water that would otherwise be trapped within the filtered slurry cake.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for improving performance of flocculants in an industrial production process. Methods include pH triggered cross-linking reaction between a flocculating agent, such as dextran, and a composition comprising a boronic acid-containing polymer. The pH trigger can be provided by a fluid having a pH of 8 or more. The production process can be a Bayer Process and the fluid is caustic liquor or slurry in the fluid circuit of the Bayer, wherein the reaction time is reduced over conventional methods and the cross-linked dextran composition effectuates improved flocculation of the trihydrate particles.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for treating an aqueous suspension of solid particles, wherein at least one water-soluble polymer is added to the suspension, and wherein said polymer is obtained by polymerizing at least a non-ionic monomer, optionally at least one anionic and/or at least one cationic monomer, in the presence of a multifunctional free radical transfer agent. This method is particularly useful for the treatment of mineral tailings and especially for tailings resulting from oil sand extraction.

Abstract: Provided are compositions and methods that are useful for clarifying water, reducing turbidity of water, and removing salts from water. The compositions comprise (a) an anionic flocculant comprising at least one of an alkali swellable emulsion (ASE) or hydrophobically-modified alkali swellable emulsion (HASE), and (b) a cationic flocculant comprising (i) an aluminum-containing compound, and (ii) a copolymer of acrylamide and a cationic monomer comprising at least one of a diallyldialkylammonium quaternary compound, acrylamidoalkyltrialkylammonium quaternary compound, methacrylamidoalkyltrialkylammonium quaternary compound, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A method for preparing alkali metal bicarbonate particles by crystallization from an alkali metal carbonate and/or bicarbonate solution with an additive present in the solution, chosen from among sulfates, sulfonates, polysulfonates, amines, hydroxysultaines, polycarboxylates, polysaccharides, polyethers and ether-phenols, alkali metal hexametaphosphate, phosphates, sulfosuccinates, amidosulfonates, amine sulfonates, preferably chosen from among polysaccharides, and such that the additive is present in the solution at a concentration of at least 1 ppm and preferably at most 200 ppm.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are silicon containing polymers and compositions containing the same able to flocculate suspended solids in the Bayer or Sinter process stream.

Abstract: A composition for treating an aqueous suspension of mineral particles includes at least one water soluble polymer and at least one calcium salt, magnesium salt or both a Calcium salt and a Magnesium salt. The composition is in powder form.

Abstract: A system, components of the system and methods for processing, combinations of hydrocarbons, water, solids and contaminants, to separate extract, recover, filter and treat the constituent elements to enable the recovery of valuable hydrocarbons, the treatment of solids for environmentally sustainable discharge, the filtration and treatment of water for reuse, or environmentally sustainable discharge, and the extraction of contaminants. The integrated method and system incorporates alternative processing modes, each of which is optimized for the intake and processing of a materials stream which is predominately solids, or predominately water or predominately hydrocarbons, respectively. The system can dynamically adjust to accommodate variations in the composition of the intake materials stream in any particular mode. The system can be implemented in a portable, modular configuration which is cost effective, energy efficient and scalable to enable processing of any volume of materials.

Abstract: A fuel supply for an EUV radiation source is disclosed. The fuel supply comprises a reservoir (40) for retaining a volume of fuel (42), a nozzle (32), in fluid connection with the reservoir, and configured to direct a stream of fuel along a trajectory towards a plasma formation location, and a fuel contamination control arrangement (44) which separates contamination particles from the fuel. The contamination control arrangement comprises at least one acoustic filter. The acoustic filter may apply an acoustic standing wave to the fuel. Also disclosed is a method of controlling contamination in such a fuel supply.

Abstract: Disclosed are a plant-derived flocculant and a flocculant mixture having a higher flocculation capacity. The plant-derived flocculant comprises at least one of a dried matter of Corchorus olitorius, a dried matter of Begonia fimbristipula, a dried matter of bananas, and a dried matter of Corchorus capsularis; the plant-derived flocculant has a colloid equivalent of ?1.5 mEq/g to ?0.20 mEq/g, and the 2 weight % aqueous solution of the plant-derived flocculant has a viscosity of at least 6.0×10?3 Pa·s (6.0 cP). The flocculant mixture of the invention comprises the plant-derived flocculant described above and a synthetic polymer flocculant having a colloid equivalent of ?4.5 mEq/g to ?1.2 mEq/g, whose 0.2 weight % aqueous solution has a viscosity of 1.3×10?1Pa·s to 4×10?1 Pa·s (130 cP to 400 cP).

Abstract: In a process for separating a solid material from a suspension of the solid material in water, an organopolysiloxane polyalkylene oxide copolymer comprising a branched organopolysiloxane structure is added to the suspension of solid material in water and the suspension is drained. The organopolysiloxane polyalkylene oxide copolymer comprising a branched organopolysiloxane structure increases the rate of drainage of the suspension.

Abstract: A process for cleaning and dewatering hydrophobic particulate materials is presented. The process is performed in two steps: 1) agglomeration of the hydrophobic particles in a first hydrophobic liquid/aqueous mixture; followed by 2) dispersion of the agglomerates in a second hydrophobic liquid to release the water trapped within the agglomerates along with the entrained hydrophilic particles.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and an apparatus for separating a mixture that are capable of separating a mixture containing a plurality types of particles, using a countercurrent classification technique, even when there is little difference in density and particle diameter depending on the types of particles. In the present invention, a mixture containing first particles and second particles is separated using a separation tube 13 having the inverted-conical or pyramidal shape or a substantially inverted-conical or pyramidal shape. The first particles and the second particles are made of substances having different magnetic susceptibilities. A fluid is caused to flow upward through the separation tube 13, and the flow of the fluid is used to introduce the mixture into the separation tube 13. The first particles and the second particles are held in the separation tube 13 in a mixed state.

Abstract: In a magnetic disk glass substrate manufacturing method, a main surface of a glass substrate is polished using a polishing liquid containing colloidal silica abrasive particles as polishing abrasive particles and a surface plate with a polishing pad, then the glass substrate is brought into contact with a liquid containing a coagulant so that the colloidal silica abrasive particles are coagulated, and then the colloidal silica abrasive particles coagulated are removed.

Abstract: A method obtains non-magnetic ores from a suspension-like mass flow containing non-magnetic ore particles. The method involves mixing the mass flow with magnetic particles in a mixing device and forming ore particle-magnetic particle agglomerates, feeding the mass flow as a separator feed flow to a magnetic separator for separating the ore particle-magnetic particle agglomerates from the mass flow, forming a separator concentrate flow containing ore particle-magnetic particle agglomerates and a separator residual flow containing the remaining constituents of the mass flow, and separating the ore particles from the ore particle-magnetic particle agglomerates contained in the separator concentrate flow.

Abstract: A method obtains non-magnetic ores from a suspension containing ore particle-magnetic particle agglomerates. The method involves dividing ore particle-magnetic particle agglomerates precipitated from the suspension into a mixture of separately present ore particles and magnet particles, separating the magnetic particles from the mixture, forming a first mass flow containing magnetic particles and a second mass flow containing ore particles. At least one information describing a measure of the content of ore particles in the first mass flow and being associated with the first mass flow and/or at least one information describing a measure of the portion of magnetic particles in the second mass flow and being associated with the second mass flow are determined in order to determine the efficiency of at least one of the separation processes described above.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for producing flocculation moieties in photosynthetic organisms. The photosynthetic organisms are genetically modified to effect production, secretion, or both, of the flocculation moieties. Also provided are methods of flocculating organisms.

Abstract: The present disclosure teaches improved processes to produce high-brightness kaolins at high yields from various natural sources of crude kaolin. In some embodiments, a process for treating mined kaolin comprises: blunging kaolin material with water at high shear to form a slurry; introducing the slurry to one or more beneficiation units for flocculation of titania (e.g., anatase) and titania-associated impurities (e.g., iron); introducing a sodium silicate composition, or precursors thereof, to the beneficiation units, wherein the sodium silicate composition is characterized by a Na2O/SiO2 ratio selected from about 0.25 to about 2.5; and recovering a suspension comprising at least 70% of the kaolin clay. The selected sodium silicate composition enhances flocculation of the titania while maintaining dispersion of the kaolin clay in the slurry. One or more chemical leaching reactions generate a treated kaolin that is characterized by a brightness of about 90 or higher.

Abstract: The processing method for a mixture according to the present invention is a method for processing a mixture having first particles made of a magnetic material or a nonmagnetic material and second particles made of a magnetic material or a nonmagnetic material wherein the second particles are mixed in a fluid medium containing the first particles, and comprises a dispersion step of dispersing aggregates of the first particles and the second particles present in the mixture, and a magnetic separation step of providing the first particles and second particles with a magnetic force a of different magnitudes by applying a magnetic field to the mixture in parallel with or after the dispersion step, thereby separating the first particles and the second particles from each other.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating particles from a medium includes a capillary defining a flow path therein that is in fluid communication with a medium source. The medium source includes engineered acoustic contrast capture particle having a predetermined acoustic contrast. The apparatus includes a vibration generator that is operable to produce at least one acoustic field within the flow path. The acoustic field produces a force potential minima for positive acoustic contrast particles and a force potential minima for negative acoustic contrast particles in the flow path and drives the engineered acoustic contrast capture particles to either the force potential minima for positive acoustic contrast particles or the force potential minima for negative acoustic contrast particles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for separating at least one first material from a mixture comprising this at least one first material, at least one second material and at least one third material, which comprises at least the following steps: (A) contacting of the mixture comprising at least one first material, at least one second material and at least one third material with at least one hydrocarbon in an amount of from 0.01 to 0.

Abstract: Compositions of reducing agents and carriers for producing a stable negative oxidation reduction potential in consumable materials are disclosed and claimed. Compositions of the invention find use in enhancing the hydration and anti-oxidant value of consumable materials such as foods, beverages and cosmetics, for example. Compositions of the invention also find use in water treatment, agricultural and scientific research applications. Methods for using and making the compositions are also within the scope of the invention.

Abstract: A system for dewatering a stream of slurry has a first and a second separator. The first separator removes objects above a first size, to produce a stream of primary treated slurry. The second separator removes objects above a second size from the primary treated stream, the second size being smaller than the first size. Optionally, a third separator removes objects above a yet smaller third size from the stream of secondary treated slurry. The first separator has a plurality of sieve mat supports alternately connected to a main support frame section and a movable support frame section so that the flexible sieve mat can be agitated by the movable support frame section, a collector being provided for collecting the primary treated slurry passing through the flexible sieve mat. In an optional step, water contained in the separated solids is removed.

Abstract: A method obtains non-magnetic ores from a suspension-like mass flow containing non-magnetic ore particles. The method involves mixing the mass flow with magnetic particles in a mixing device and forming ore particle-magnetic particle agglomerates, feeding the mass flow as a separator feed flow to a magnetic separator for separating the ore particle-magnetic particle agglomerates from the mass flow, forming a separator concentrate flow containing ore particle-magnetic particle agglomerates and a separator residual flow containing the remaining constituents of the mass flow, and separating the ore particles from the ore particle-magnetic particle agglomerates contained in the separator concentrate flow.

Abstract: A method obtains non-magnetic ores from a suspension containing ore particle-magnetic particle agglomerates. The method involves dividing ore particle-magnetic particle agglomerates precipitated from the suspension into a mixture of separately present ore particles and magnet particles, separating the magnetic particles from the mixture, forming a first mass flow containing magnetic particles and a second mass flow containing ore particles. At least one information describing a measure of the content of ore particles in the first mass flow and being associated with the first mass flow and/or at least one information describing a measure of the portion of magnetic particles in the second mass flow and being associated with the second mass flow are determined in order to determine the efficiency of at least one of the separation processes described above.

Abstract: A system for dewatering a stream of slurry has a first and a second separator. The first separator removes objects above a first size, to produce a stream of primary treated slurry. The second separator removes objects above a second size from the primary treated stream, the second size being smaller than the first size. Optionally, a third separator removes objects above a yet smaller third size from the stream of secondary treated slurry. The first separator has a plurality of sieve mat supports alternately connected to a main support frame section and a movable support frame section so that the flexible sieve mat can be agitated by the movable support frame section, a collector being provided for collecting the primary treated slurry passing through the flexible sieve mat. In an optional step, water contained in the separated solids is removed.

Abstract: A method, process or system for producing an iron oxide concentrate from a treatment slurry of a low grade mineral assemblage includes mixing a flocculant with the treatment slurry and dewatering the treatment slurry before passing the treatment slurry through a wet high intensity magnetic separator of a type that employs a flux amplifying matrix (i.e., a WHIMS-FAM device) and recovering an iron oxide concentrate fraction and a tailings fraction from the WHIMS-FAM device. Another method, process or system for producing an iron oxide concentrate includes passing the treatment slurry through a WHIMS-FAM device and recovering an iron oxide concentrate fraction slurry and a tailings fraction slurry from the WHIMS-FAM device; mixing a flocculant with the concentrate fraction slurry and dewatering the concentrate slurry to provide a thickened concentrate slurry before filtering the thickened concentrate slurry to provide a concentrate filter cake.

Abstract: A method of treating a kaolin particulate material to improve one or more of its properties by removal of impurity particles therein which includes: producing a dispersed aqueous suspension of a kaolin particulate material containing at least 0.1% by weight, based on the dry weight of the kaolin particulate material of separable particulate impurity; diluting said dispersed aqueous suspension by adding a diluent thereto; adding a selective flocculation polymer to the diluted suspension; allowing the suspension containing the polymer to separate in a selective flocculation separator into layers comprising a flocculated product layer and a deflocculated impurity layer containing the separable impurity; and extracting the separated layers from the separator, wherein at least a portion of said deflocculated impurity layer is recirculated for use as at least a portion of the aforementioned diluent.

Abstract: A process of concentrating an aqueous suspension of solid particles comprising the steps of adding at least one organic polymeric flocculant to the suspension thereby forming flocculated solids in which the flocculated solids are allowed form a layer of solids and thereby forming a more concentrated suspension in which the process comprises the addition of an effective amount of an agent that is selected from the group consisting of free radical agents, oxidizing agents, enzymes and radiation, in which the agent is applied to the suspension prior to or substantially simultaneously with adding the organic polymeric flocculant and/or the organic polymeric flocculant is added to the suspension in a vessel and the agent is applied to the suspension in the same vessel. The process is particularly suitable for solids liquid separation in which the flocculated solids are allowed to settle by sedimentation in a gravity thickener.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for separating at least one first material from a mixture comprising this at least one first material and at least one second material, which comprises the following steps (A) contacting of the mixture comprising at least one first material and at least one second material with at least one magnetic particle in the presence of at least one dispersion medium so that the at least one first material and the at least one magnetic particle agglomerate, (B) if appropriate, addition of further dispersion medium to the dispersion obtained in step (A), (C) separation of the agglomerate from step (A) or (B) from the mixture by application of a magnetic field, (D) and dissociation of the agglomerate separated off in step (C) in order to obtain the at least one first material and the at least one magnetic particle separately, with an energy input of at least 10 kW/m3 being introduced into the dispersion in step (A).

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for the separation of materials from heterogeneous fluids and provides a means of effecting stimulant-sensitive flocculation and consolidation of solid suspensions within a liquid medium. Specifically, the present invention provides a method of controlling the state of a suspension of solid particles in a liquid, including applying to the suspension a stimulus adapted to control inter-particle forces between the solid particles. The stimulus is reversibly operable to control attraction and/or repulsion. Means of consolidating a sediment bed and of separating the resultant liquids-rich and solids-rich phases are also within the ambit of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for separating at least one first material from a mixture comprising this at least one first material and at least one second material using magnetic particles with which the at least one first material agglomerates.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an agglomerate of at least one particle P which is hydrophobicized on the surface with at least one first surface-active substance and at least one magnetic particle MP which is hydrophobicized on the surface with at least one second surface-active substance, a process for producing it and also the use of these agglomerates.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process of the invention for separating at least one first material from a mixture comprising this at least one first material and at least one second material, which comprises the steps: (A) Contacting of at least one magnetic particle and at least one bifunctional molecule or an adduct of the two with the mixture comprising the at least one first material and at least one second material so that an adduct is formed from the at least one magnetic particle, the bifunctional compound of the general formula (I) and the at least one first material, (B) suspension of the adduct obtained in step (A) in a suitable suspension medium, (C) separation of the adduct present in the suspension from step (B) from the suspension by application of a magnetic field, (D) if appropriate, dissociation of the adduct separated off in step (C) in order to obtain the at least one first material. a corresponding adduct and the use of such an adduct for the separation of mixtures of materials.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for separating at least one first material from a mixture comprising this at least one first material in an amount of from 0.001 to 1.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for separating at least one first material from a mixture comprising this at least one first material and at least one second material, which comprises at least the following steps: (A) contacting of the mixture comprising at least one first material and at least one second material with at least one surface-active substance, if appropriate in the presence of at least one dispersion medium, with the surface-active substance binding to the at least one first material, (B) if appropriate, addition of at least one dispersion medium to the mixture obtained in step (A) in order to obtain a dispersion, (C) treatment of the dispersion from step (A) or (B) with at least one hydrophobic magnetic particle so that the at least one first material to which the at least one surface-active substance is bound and the at least one magnetic particle agglomerate, (D) separation of the agglomerate from step (C) from the mixture by application of a magnetic field in order to obtain th

Abstract: In a device and a method for extracting non-magnetic ores from a pulp comprising non-magnetic ore particles and having a solid fraction of at least 30 mass percent, the pulp flows continuously through a reactor in the direction of flow and magnetic or magnetizable magnet particles that form ore magnetic particle agglomerations with the non-magnetic ore particles are added to said pulp. The ore magnetic particle agglomerations are moved by a magnetic field into an accumulation range of the reactor, and are then discharged out of reactor range and separated into ore and magnetic particles. In a device and a method, the separated magnetic particles are treated, in particular hydrophobized, such that during a new interaction with non-magnetic ore particles, new ore magnetic particle agglomerations are formed. Accordingly, a high yield of ores can be obtained and the mine can be operated in an economical and environmentally friendly manner.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for separating at least one first material from a mixture comprising this at least one first material and at least one second material, which comprises the steps: (A) production of a suspension of the mixture comprising at least one first material and at least one second material and at least one magnetic particle in a suitable suspension medium, (B) setting of the pH of the suspension obtained in step (A) to a value at which the at least one first material and the at least one magnetic particle bear opposite surface charges so that these agglomerate, (C) separation of the agglomerate obtained in step (B) from the suspension by application of a magnetic field and (D) dissociation of the agglomerate separated off in step (C) by setting of the pH to a value at which the at least one first material and the at least one magnetic particle bear the same surface charges in order to obtain the at least one first material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for separating at least one first material from a mixture comprising this at least one first material and at least one second material, which comprises the following steps: (A) contacting of the mixture comprising at least one first material and at least one second material with at least one surface-active substance, if appropriate in the presence of at least one dispersant, resulting in the surface-active substance becoming attached to the at least one first material, (B) if appropriate, addition of at least one dispersant to the mixture obtained in step (A) to give a dispersion having a suitable concentration, (C) treatment of the dispersion from step (A) or (B) with at least one hydrophobic magnetic particle so that the at least one first material to which the at least one surface-active substance is bound and the at least one magnetic particle become attached to one another, (D) separation of the addition product from step (C) from the mixture by application of

Abstract: Systems and methods for hydroponically growing microorganisms within a self-contained air-supported structure, in which microorganisms are grown in an organic slurry, harvested, and processed to obtain and process and distribute molecules useful for biofuel or other purposes.