Abstract: A belt (10) for an electrokinetic belt press (100) comprises a woven material, and having an electrical transfer zone (18) extending longitudinally along the belt (10) between a filtration zone (12) and an edge (22) of the belt (10), the electrical transfer zone (18) comprising a plurality of electrically-conducting warp elements arranged as a plurality of substantially parallel stripes (26), wherein adjacent stripes (26) are separated from each other in the transverse direction by at least one electrically-insulating warp element (28). The stripes (26) may be discontinuous in order to electrically isolate discrete conducting zones (14) of the filtration zone (14), the discontinuities being displaced longitudinally from each other. Also, an electrokinetic belt press apparatus (100) is described, comprising a pair of filtration belts (110, 111), at least one of which comprises a plurality of discrete conducting areas (14).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for reducing the liquid content of a particulate/liquid dispersion, such as a sewage sludge or mine tailings, are described. The apparatus comprises containment means to contain the material, and means to apply pressure to the contained material therein, the containment means being partly defined by a first filtration membrane permeable to the liquid but impermeable to at least some and more preferably substantially all of the solids contained within the material, in particular configured as a continuous belt press. The filtration membrane comprises a textile or other synthetic material in intimate association with a conducting element so as to constitute where so associated a first electrode. A second sheet material, preferably also a filtration membrane, is similarly associated with a conducting element so as to constitute a second electrode to allow application of a potential difference across the material and drive the dewatering process electrokinetically.

Abstract: A composite conducting material is described comprising a non-conductive polymeric base material, and for example a geosynthetic or like material, in association with at least one primary conducting electrode element comprising a metallic core element coated with a coating of mixed metal oxides such as oxides and/or suboxides of tantalum, niobium, iridium, palladium, ruthenium, rhodium, titanium and mixtures thereof. The material disposed as an electrode, for example in an electrokinetic circuit, for the treatment of materials such as highly watered and/or highly saline substrates by electroosmosis, is also described.

Abstract: An EKG structure comprising geosynthetic material associated with at least one conducting element wherein the structure comprises at least one core element substantially enclosed by at least one sheath, one or both comprising the geosynthetic material; the use thereof as an electrode, a method for treating substrate with the EKG structure, the treated substance obtained thereby.

Abstract: An EKG structure comprising geosynthetic material associated with at least one conducting element wherein the structure comprises at least one core element substantially enclosed by at least one sheath, one or both comprising the geosynthetic material; the use thereof as an electrode, a method for treating substrate with the EKG structure, the treated substance obtained thereby

Abstract: An EKG structure comprising geosynthetic material associated with at least one conducting element wherein the structure comprises at least one core element substantially enclosed by at least one sheath, one or both comprising the geosynthetic material; the use thereof as an electrode, a method for treating substrate with the EKG structure, the treated substance obtained thereby

Abstract: An electrokinetic geosynthetic (EKG) structure comprising conductive geosynthetic material wherein the conducting geosynthetic material comprises an open mesh structure, and a method of consolidating a substrate and in particular a cohesive soil substrate using such a structure.