Abstract: A process for improving the dewatering characteristic of tailings is provided comprising adding flue-gas desulfurization (FGD) solids, produced when using calcium oxide to remove sulfur dioxide from flue gas or emissions, to the tailings.

Abstract: A process for treating water containing dissolved organic compounds, including naphthenic acids, for example, oil sands process water, using petroleum coke is provided, comprising: removing petroleum coke from a coking operation; forming a petroleum coke/water slurry by adding the water containing dissolved organic compounds to the petroleum coke; adding a pH-lowering agent to the petroleum coke/water slurry either during slurry formation or after slurry formation to form a treated petroleum coke/water slurry; and allowing the treated petroleum coke/water slurry to mix for a sufficient time in a carbon adsorption reactor to allow the petroleum coke to adsorb a substantial portion of the dissolved organic compounds from the water.

Abstract: A method of reclamation using tailings produced during oil sands extraction processes involves depositing tailings below grade into a pit, the tailings comprising a solids content of at least about 30 wt % with greater than about 60% of the solids being fines; placing a layer of water of sufficient depth and volume over the deposit of tailings; and allowing densification of the tailings to occur without mechanical or chemical intervention, wherein the layer of water capping the tailings deposit forms a lake habitable for plants and animals.

Abstract: A process for treating water containing heavy metals is provided comprising removing petroleum coke from a coking operation; forming a petroleum coke/water slurry by adding the water to be treated to the petroleum coke; and depositing the petroleum coke/water slurry into a containment cell and retaining the petroleum coke/water slurry in the cell for a retention time sufficient to remove a portion of the heavy metals.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process for removing ammonia from mine depressurization water involving introducing the water into a tank or collection pond; injecting a sufficient amount of an oxidizing gas into the water to yield aerated water; and holding the aerated water within the tank or collection pond for a pre-determined residence time to perform air-stripping on the aerated water to facilitate the volatilization of ammonia; nitrification to convert ammonia into nitrate and nitrite; or both.

Abstract: A process for treating water containing dissolved organic compounds, including naphthenic acids, for example, oil sands process water, using petroleum coke is provided, comprising: removing petroleum coke from a coking operation; forming a petroleum coke/water slurry by adding the water containing dissolved organic compounds to the petroleum coke; adding a pH-lowering agent to the petroleum coke/water slurry either during slurry formation or after slurry formation to form a treated petroleum coke/water slurry; and allowing the treated petroleum coke/water slurry to mix for a sufficient time in a carbon adsorption reactor to allow the petroleum coke to adsorb a substantial portion of the dissolved organic compounds from the water.

Abstract: A process for treating oil sands process water is provided, comprising removing free oil and grease from the oil sands process water to produce de-oiled process water; reducing the total suspended solids by subjecting the de-oiled process water to filtration using a membrane system to produce filtered process water; and removing dissolved ions such as chloride ions and sulfate ions present in the filtered process water by reverse osmosis to produce a treated water stream and a concentrated salt stream.

Abstract: A process for treating water containing dissolved organics, for example, oil sands process-affected water, using petroleum coke is provided, comprising: removing petroleum coke from a coking operation; forming a petroleum coke/water slurry by adding the water to be treated to the petroleum coke; and mixing the slurry for a sufficient time in a carbon adsorption reactor to allow the petroleum coke to adsorb a substantial portion of the dissolved organics from the water.

Abstract: A process for treating water containing dissolved organics, for example, oil sands process-affected water, using petroleum coke is provided, comprising: removing petroleum coke from a coking operation; forming a petroleum coke/water slurry by adding the water to be treated to the petroleum coke; and mixing the slurry for a sufficient time in a carbon adsorption reactor to allow the petroleum coke to adsorb a substantial portion of the dissolved organics from the water.