Abstract: Embodiments relate to a continuous process for treating tailings that includes providing tailings for treatment having at least 10 wt % solids, providing a mixing apparatus having a first inlet for feeding the tailings, a second inlet for feeding a non-dispersion liquid flocculant that includes a polyethylene glycol having a weight average molecular weight from 100 g/mol to 2,000 g/mol, and an outlet for a mixture of the tailings and the non-dispersion liquid flocculant, continuously introducing into the mixing apparatus the tailings through the first inlet and the non-dispersion liquid flocculant through the second inlet, and allowing the tailings and the non-dispersion liquid flocculant to mix to from the mixture of the tailings and the non-dispersion liquid flocculant.

Abstract: Embodiments relate continuous process for treating tailings that includes providing tailings for treatment having at least 20 wt % solids, providing a mixing apparatus having a first inlet for feeding the tailings, a second inlet for feeding flocculants, an outlet for a mixture of the tailings and flocculants, and a rotating disk, the first inlet being separate from the second inlet, the second inlet being above the rotating disk, and the rotating disk having a tip speed at least 2 m/s, continuously introducing into the mixing apparatus the tailings through the first inlet and the flocculants through the second inlet, allowing the tailings and the flocculants to mix on the rotating disk to form the mixture of the tailings and flocculants, continuously removing the mixture of the tailings and flocculants through the outlet to form a treated mixture, and flowing the treated mixture from the mixing apparatus for further treatment or to a disposal area.

Abstract: A process for preparing an isocyanate product includes providing a phosgene inlet stream and an amine in solvent inlet stream to a phosgenation mixer, the amine in-solvent inlet stream including one or more amines and one or more inert solvents, and during steady state operation compensating for a fouling pressure drop increase by decreasing a pressure drop in the phosgenation mixer over a time period divided into at least a first period of time T1 and a second period of time T2 that is subsequent to the first period of time T1. During the second period of time T2 an amine concentration of the one or more amines in the amine-in-solvent stream is higher than during the first period of time T1, and during the second period of time T2 a phosgene-to-amine ratio value in the phosgenation mixer is higher than during the first period of time T1.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an in-line blending apparatus and use therein for flocculating and dewatering an aqueous mineral suspension. Said method comprises blending an aqueous mineral suspension and a poly(ethylene oxide) (co)polymer using a progressive cavity pump. Said method is particularly useful for the treatment of suspensions of particulate material, especially waste mineral slurries, especially for the treatment of tailings and other waste material resulting from mineral processing, in particular, the processing of oil sands tailings.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining the clay content of an oil sands tailings stream. The method comprises treating an oil sands tailings stream with a PEO flocculant, passing the mixture through a dynamic mixer comprising a mixer shaft and a power drive for rotating said shaft, wherein the power input needed to maintain a mixer rotational speed (RPM) is measured. For an oil sands tailings stream having a specified solids content, the power measurement and PEO dosage level is correlated to a clay content characterization index, for example methylene blue index (MBI), to determine in real-time the clay content during the processing of an oil sands tailings stream.

Abstract: Phosgene is mixed with an organic polyamine to produce polyisocyanate compounds. A phosgene flow is established in a conduit (15), and the organic polyamine is injected into the phosgene flow. A constricted region (4) of the conduit (15) resides downstream of the point of the polyamine injection. The presence of the constricted region (4) reduces by-product formation.

Abstract: A process for preparing an isocyanate product includes providing a phosgene inlet stream and an amine in solvent inlet stream to a phosgenation mixer, the amine in-solvent inlet stream including one or more amines and one or more inert solvents, and during steady state operation compensating for a fouling pressure drop increase by decreasing a pressure drop in the phosgenation mixer over a time period divided into at least a first period of time T1 and a second period of time T2 that is subsequent to the first period of time T1. During the second period of time T2 an amine concentration of the one or more amines in the amine-in-solvent stream is higher than during the first period of time T1, and during the second period of time T2 a phosgene-to-amine ratio value in the phosgenation mixer is higher than during the first period of time T1.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of dewatering an aqueous mineral suspension comprising introducing into the suspension a flocculating system comprising a mixture of polyethylene oxide polymers, in particular a mixture of one or more high molecular weight polyethylene oxide polymer and one or more ultra high molecular weight polyethylene oxide polymer. Said mixture of polyethylene oxide polymers is useful for the treatment of suspensions of particulate material, especially waste mineral slurries. The invention is particularly suitable for the treatment of tailings and other waste material resulting from mineral processing, in particular, the processing of oil sands tailings.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for transporting, flocculating, and dewatering an aqueous tailings stream. Said method comprises adding a flocculant composition comprising a poly(ethylene oxide) (co)polymer with the aqueous tailings stream wherein the aqueous tailings stream has 15 wt % or less solids. Said method is particularly useful for the treatment of suspensions of particulate material, especially waste mineral slurries, especially for the treatment of tailings and other waste material resulting from mineral processing, in particular, the processing of oil sands tailings.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of dewatering an aqueous mineral suspension comprising introducing into the suspension a flocculating system comprising a mixture of polyethylene glycol and polyethylene oxide polymers, in particular a mixture of one or more low molecular mass polyethylene glycol with one or more high molecular mass polyethylene oxide. Said mixture of polyethylene glycol and polyethylene oxide polymers is useful for the treatment of suspensions of particulate material, especially waste mineral slurries. The invention is particularly suitable for the treatment of tailings and other waste material resulting from mineral processing, in particular, the processing of oil sands tailings.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an in-line mixing apparatus and use therein for adding a polymer solution and dewatering an aqueous mineral suspension. Said method comprises statically mixing the aqueous mineral suspension with a poly(ethylene oxide) (co)polymer to form a dough-like material. The viscous mixture material is then dynamically mixed in an in-line reactor to reduce the mixture viscosity and to form microflocs and release water. Said method is particularly useful for the treatment of suspensions of particulate material, especially waste mineral slurries, especially for the treatment of tailings and other waste material resulting from mineral processing, in particular, the processing of oil sands tailings.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for flocculating and dewatering an aqueous mineral suspension. Said process comprises mixing a powdered poly(ethylene oxide) (co)polymer with the aqueous mineral suspension. Said method is particularly useful for the treatment of suspensions of particulate material, especially waste mineral slurries, especially for the treatment of tailings and other waste material resulting from mineral processing, in particular, the processing of oil sands tailings.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an in situ staged steam extraction method for removing petroleum products from a heavy oil or bitumen reservoir from subterranean locations. Specifically, each injection stage comprises a different steam composition. A steam composition may consist essentially of steam or may comprise one or more enhanced oil recovery agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of dewatering an aqueous mineral suspension comprising introducing into the suspension a flocculating system comprising a mixture of polyethylene oxide polymers, in particular a mixture of one or more high molecular weight polyethylene oxide polymer and one or more ultra high molecular weight polyethylene oxide polymer. Said mixture of polyethylene oxide polymers is useful for the treatment of suspensions of particulate material, especially waste mineral slurries. The invention is particularly suitable for the treatment of tailings and other waste material resulting from mineral processing, in particular, the processing of oil sands tailings.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of dewatering an aqueous mineral suspension comprising introducing into the suspension a flocculating system comprising a mixture of polyethylene glycol and polyethylene oxide polymers, in particular a mixture of one or more low molecular mass polyethylene glycol with one or more high molecular mass polyethylene oxide. Said mixture of polyethylene glycol and polyethylene oxide polymers is useful for the treatment of suspensions of particulate material, especially waste mineral slurries. The invention is particularly suitable for the treatment of tailings and other waste material resulting from mineral processing, in particular, the processing of oil sands tailings.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a mixing apparatus. Particularly, embodiments of the present invention provide a mixing apparatus for mixing fluid components such as phosgene and amine during a highly reactive chemical reaction. One embodiment provides a mixing conduit comprising a cylindrical sidewall defining an inner volume, wherein one or more jets are formed through the cylindrical sidewalls and connect to the inner volume and one or more flow obstructions disposed in the inner volume, wherein each flow obstruction is positioned upstream from an associated aperture.

Abstract: Disclosed are processes and apparatuses for producing a crystalline product. The processes and apparatuses may extend the operational time of an evaporative crystallizer by providing an internal volume or large deposit inventory for fouling deposits to reside without impacting the unit operation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for flocculating and dewatering oil sands fine tailings. Said method comprises mixing the aqueous mineral suspension with a poly(ethylene oxide) (co)polymer to form a dough-like material. The material is then dynamically mixed in an in-line reactor to break down the dough-like material to form microflocs having an average size of 1 to 500 microns, and to release water. The internal diameter of the in-line reactor is at most five times the internal diameter of the inlet pipe of the reactor. The suspension of microflocs has a viscosity of at most 1000 cP and a yield stress of at most 300 Pa.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an in situ staged steam extraction method for removing petroleum products from a heavy oil or bitumen reservoir from subterranean locations. Specifically, each injection stage comprises a different steam composition. A steam composition may consist essentially of steam or may comprise one or more enhanced oil recovery agent.

Abstract: A process includes: (a) injecting a steam composition into a subterranean location containing bitumen, the steam composition containing an alkylene glycol ether and steam, wherein the alkylene glycol ether is other than a glycol ether amine; and (b) recovering bitumen from the subterranean location to above the ground.