Abstract: A method for oxidative brightening and whitening of a mined mineral is provided. The mined mineral to be brightened may be discolored kaolin clay, such as gray clay. The inventive method comprises adding to an aqueous slurry of a mined mineral to be brightened an oxidizing solution comprising a peroxyacid, such as performic acid and recovering bleached mineral of improved brightness, color and/or improved purity compared to the mineral to be brightened.

Abstract: The present embodiments generally relate to the treatment of produced water comprising one or more water soluble polymers, wherein such treatment comprises: adding to the produced water at least one iron complex; and degrading at least a portion of the one or more water soluble polymers. This treatment may result in a reduction of the viscosity of said produced water and/or the degradation of the water soluble polymers which are contained therein.

Abstract: Terpolymers and use thereof are provided comprising one or more nonionic monomers, one or more anionic monomers and one or more cationic monomers, These terpolymers and compositions containing may be used as flocculants, for example, for treating tailings, such as oil sands tailings, to facilitate solid-liquid separation, for example, in order to efficiently recycle water and/or to reduce the volume of tailings which may be transferred to a tailings pond and/or to a dedicated disposal area.

Abstract: The present embodiments generally relate to the treatment of produced water comprising one or more water soluble polymers, wherein such treatment comprises: adding to the produced water at least one iron complex; and degrading at least a portion of the one or more water soluble polymers. This treatment may result in a reduction of the viscosity of said produced water and/or the degradation of the water soluble polymers which are contained therein.

Abstract: The present embodiments generally relate to the treatment of produced water comprising one or more water soluble polymers, wherein such treatment comprises: adding to the produced water at least one iron complex; and degrading at least a portion of the one or more water soluble polymers. This treatment may result in a reduction of the viscosity of said produced water and/or the degradation of the water soluble polymers which are contained therein.

Abstract: The present embodiments generally relate to the treatment of produced water such as produced water resulting from an industrial process such as one involving the use of copious amounts of water and the addition of one or more polymers such as water soluble and/or viscosifying or thickening polymers, in particular enhanced oil recovery processes or another processes resulting in polymer flooded produced water. These treatment methods include contacting the produced water with one or more PACl-based coagulants, wherein said treatment may result in desired effects, such as, for example, a reduction of the viscosity of said produced water and/or the removal of polymers which are contained therein.

Abstract: The present embodiments generally relate to methods for the treatment of tailings, e.g., oil sands tailings, including methods comprising the use of one or more flocculants, one or more coagulants and one or more oxidants to treat said tailings and/or to improve the performance of said one or more flocculants.

Abstract: A method for treating tailings substrate from mining or oil sands separation process, the tailings substrate comprising an aqueous phase with suspended solid particulate material. In the method, a flocculating agent is added to the tailings substrate, flocs are allowed to form and the formed flocs are separated from the aqueous phase. The flocculating agent comprises a degraded polyacrylamide comprising at least anionic units and having a process water viscosity reduced by 25-99%, preferably 50-99%, compared to a substantially similar polyacrylamide that has not been degraded by a degradation agent, measured at a shear rate 1 s?1 as a 0.4-0.8 weight-% solution of polymer in process water.

Abstract: Terpolymers and use thereof are provided comprising one or more nonionic monomers, one or more anionic monomers and one or more cationic monomers, These terpolymers and compositions containing may be used as flocculants, for example, for treating tailings, such as oil sands tailings, to facilitate solid-liquid separation, for example, in order to efficiently recycle water and/or to reduce the volume of tailings which may be transferred to a tailings pond and/or to a dedicated disposal area.

Abstract: A method for treating tailings substrate from mining or oil sands separation process, the tailings substrate comprising an aqueous phase with suspended solid particulate material. In the method, a flocculating agent is added to the tailings substrate, flocs are allowed to form and the formed flocs are separated from the aqueous phase. The flocculating agent comprises a degraded polyacrylamide comprising at least anionic units and having a process water viscosity reduced by 25-99%, preferably 50-99%, compared to a substantially similar polyacrylamide that has not been degraded by a degradation agent, measured at a shear rate 1 s?1 as a 0.4-0.8 weight-% solution of polymer in process water.

Abstract: A method for treating tailings substrate from mining or oil sands separation process, the tailings substrate comprising an aqueous phase with suspended solid particulate material. In the method, a flocculating agent is added to the tailings substrate, flocs are allowed to form and the formed flocs are separated from the aqueous phase. The flocculating agent comprises a degraded polyacrylamide comprising at least anionic units and having a process water viscosity reduced by 25-99%, preferably 50-99%, compared to a substantially similar polyacrylamide that has not been degraded by a degradation agent, measured at a shear rate 1 s?1 as a 0.4-0.8 weight-% solution of polymer in process water.

Abstract: The present embodiments generally relate to the treatment of produced water comprising one or more water soluble polymers, wherein such treatment comprises: adding to the produced water at least one iron complex; and degrading at least a portion of the one or more water soluble polymers. This treatment may result in a reduction of the viscosity of said produced water and/or the degradation of the water soluble polymers which are contained therein.

Abstract: The present embodiments generally relate to methods for the treatment of tailings, e.g., oil sands tailings, including methods comprising the use of one or more flocculants, one or more coagulants and one or more oxidants to treat said tailings and/or to improve the performance of said one or more flocculants.

Abstract: A method for treating tailings substrate from mining or oil sands separation process, the tailings substrate comprising an aqueous phase with suspended solid particulate material. In the method, a flocculating agent is added to the tailings substrate, flocs are allowed to form and the formed flocs are separated from the aqueous phase. The flocculating agent comprises a degraded polyacrylamide comprising at least anionic units and having a process water viscosity reduced by 25-99%, preferably 50-99%, compared to a substantially similar polyacrylamide that has not been degraded by a degradation agent, measured at a shear rate 1 s?1 as a 0.4-0.8 weight-% solution of polymer in process water.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a microbial fuel cell (MFC) unit, which comprises at least one cathode, at least one anode, which is arranged at a distance from the cathode, preferably in direction of gravity, the anode being in free contact with a surrounding medium, provided that the number of cathodes or anodes is more than one, the anode(s) and cathode(s) being connected with each other through an external electrical circuit. The fuel cell unit comprises also locating means for positioning the unit within the surrounding medium, and the fuel cell unit is free from any membranes located between the cathode(s) and the anode(s).