Abstract: An apparatus and method are described for reducing the liquid content of a material comprising a particulate/liquid dispersion or suspension, in particular comprising a dispersion or suspension of inorganic particles being a byproduct of mining, manufacturing or other industrial processes. The apparatus comprising a receiving zone to contain the material, at least one pair of electrodes spaced apart within the receiving zone, means to apply potential difference thereacross and hence across the material in use to drive electrokinetic dewatering, and drainage means to enable removal of water, wherein at least one of the electrodes comprises a textile or other synthetic material at least in part associated with a conductor so as to constitute where so associated a conducting electrokinetic textile or other synthetic material. The method makes use of the apparatus, in situ or at a remote site either as a batch or continuous process.

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 conditionable particulate substrate structure, and in particular a growing medium suitable for the growth of vegetable matter in a surface layer, is described. The structure has a particulate base of soil or the like, a generally planar electrokinetic geosynthetic upper electrode disposed generally horizontally in a surface layer of the particulate base; a lower electrode disposed within the base generally underneath and parallel to the upper electrode, and means to connect an electrical power source between the two electrodes to apply a potential difference thereacross to drive an electro-osmotic process and thus to alter the moisture level in the vicinity of the upper electrode and further to generate gas at the upper electrode. A method for conditioning a substrate, and a method for the creation of a conditioned substrate, are also described.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel geosynthetic which in a first embodiment comprises a composite geosynthetic comprising reinforcement material embedded in a drainage material; and in the second embodiment of the invention there is provided an electrically conducting geosynthetic which may be used in isolation or which may, alternatively, form a part of the composite geosynthetic.