Abstract: Modified starch compositions and their use for flocculating mineral waste residues, particularly the red mud containing alumina liquors from bauxite residues, comprising the addition to an alumina liquor of a flocculating amount of a methylated starch which, optionally, may be hydrolyzed, or a methylated starch which is also sulfonated and, optionally, may be hydrolyzed. Preferably, the methylated starch compositions are potato and dasheen starch derivatives prepared at temperatures of about 50.degree. to about 85.degree. C.

Abstract: Certain yam starches hydrolyzed in the presence of insoluble metal salts formed in situ are surprisingly effective flocculants for destabilizing dilute as well as thick sludge suspensions and are particularly effective when used in the treatment of bituminous tar sands tailings and in phosphate slimes.

Abstract: Cassava starch hydrolyzed in the presence of insoluble metal salts formed in situ is a surprisingly effective flocculant for destabilizing dilute as well as thick sludge suspensions and is particularly effective when used in the treatment of bituminous tar sands tailings and in phosphate slimes.

Abstract: Dasheen starch hydrolyzed in the presence of insoluble metal salts formed in situ is a surprisingly effective flocculant for destabilizing dilute as well as thick sludge suspensions and is particularly effective when used in the treatment of bituminous tar sands tailings and in phosphate slimes.

Abstract: A process for making an improved starch flocculant by heating an aqueous dispersion comprising about 4 to about 12% starch solids, lime and alum until maximum vicosity is obtained, adding a metal salt and finally effecting hydrolysis by additional heating.

Abstract: Certain yam starches hydrolyzed in the presence of insoluble metal salts formed in situ are surprisingly effective flocculants for destabilizing dilute as well as thick sludge suspensions and are particularly effective when used in the treatment of bituminous tar sands tailings and in phosphate slimes.

Abstract: Cassava starch hydrolyzed in the presence of insoluble metal salts formed in situ is a surprisingly effective flocculant for destabilizing dilute as well as thick sludge suspensions and is particularly effective when used in the treatment of bituminous tar sands tailings and in phosphate slimes.

Abstract: Dasheen starch hydrolyzed in the presence of insoluble metal salts formed in situ is a surprisingly effective flocculant for destabilizing dilute as well as thick sludge suspensions and is particularly effective when used in the treatment of bituminous tar sands tailings and in phosphate slimes.

Abstract: A method for estimating the content of clay or clay minerals in the tailings or sludge resulting from the extraction of bitumen from tar sands and similar materials by titrating the tailings or sludge with methylene blue.

Abstract: Carbonates and bicarbonates are removed from the sludge of tar sands tailings ponds whereby solids settle from the sludge more rapidly than in the presence of the carbonates and/or bicarbonates. Hydrolyzed starch is used as a flocculant in the process and alcohol may also be used to assist in the settling and/or to improve the characteristics of the settled sludge for subsequent dewatering.

Abstract: Bitumen content of tailings or sludge obtained from processing of tar sands is quickly determined by a two step process wherein (1) clay mineral content is determined by adsorption of methylene blue and this value correlated to adsorbed organic material, (2) the content of total organic material is determined by a chromic acid oxidation, and the difference in these values gives the bitumen content.

Abstract: Hydrolyzed wheat, corn, and potato starches are effective flocculants in destabilizing dilute as well as thick sludge suspensions. These starches are equal to, or better than, the synthetic polyacrylamide flocculants in destabilizing sludge suspensions, particularly when used in the treatment of bituminous tar sands tailings.The hydrolyzed wheat starch is especially effective when first contacted with metal salts such as salts containing calcium, aluminum and phosphate ions, and most particularly when first treated with a combination of such salt, formed in situ, and a lower aliphatic alcohol.Among the potato starch flocculants which were found to be generally better than the corn starch flocculants, those containing AlPO.sub.4 were the best. Potato starch flocculants are equally effective on oil-removed and no-oil-removed sludge suspensions.

Abstract: Hydrolyzed wheat, corn, and potato starches are effective flocculants in destabilizing dilute as well as thick sludge suspensions. These starches are equal to, or better than, the synthetic polyacrylamide flocculants in destabilizing sludge suspensions, particularly when used in the treatment of bituminous tar sands tailings.The hydrolyzed wheat starch is especially effective when first contacted with metal salts such as salts containing calcium, aluminum and phosphate ions and most particularly when first treated with a combination of such salts formed in situ, and a lower aliphatic alcohol.Among the potato starch flocculants which were found to be generally better than the corn starch flocculants, those containing AlPO.sub.4 were the best. Potato starch flocculants are equally effective on oil-removed and no-oil-removed sludge suspensions.