Abstract: In some embodiments, a lift actuator is added to a pallet truck to effect initially lifting a load and a traction command effects fully raising the load while a pallet truck moves. In other embodiments, an electronic controller is programmed to effect initially lifting a load when a lift actuator is engaged and to effect fully lifting the load while a pallet truck moves when a traction actuator is engaged.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transporting heavy machinery, equipment or other heavy load from one location to another, whereby the apparatus is constructed to steer the load in order to move the load in a desired path to a set position, one embodiment directed to a walking machine including a plurality of lifting assemblies operative to lift the load above the supporting surface and then move or rotate the load relative to the supporting surface by transporting the load via rollers or tracks in the walking machines, the lifting assembly including a steering mechanism using an actuator operative for rotating, via a multi-linkage assembly, whereby the lifting assembly lower structure is rotated relative to the lifting assembly structure to set the walking machine at a desired angle so that lifting assemblies may be driven in a desired walking direction,

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to a utility platform assembly a having a utility platform, an insulative liner, and a liner retention system. The insulative liner presents a complementary shape to, and is disposed in, the utility platform. The insulative liner is secured in place and protected from damage by the liner retention system. The liner retention system is disposed atop and through the liner near the top edge or edges of the insulative liner. The edge or edges of the insulative liner are therefore disposed between the liner retention system and the lip of the sidewall of the utility platform. The liner retention system generally comprises at least one retaining bar with an associated plurality of fastener receptors and fasteners.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for vending nutritional beverage materials. A vending machine includes a housing having a vending area arranged to receive a container, a liquid supply arranged to provide a liquid from a liquid source to the container, a nutritional supplement supply arranged to provide the powdered nutritional supplement to the container, and a controller operatively coupled to the liquid supply and the nutritional supplement supply to control dispensing of the liquid and the nutritional supplement into the container. When the liquid and nutritional supplement are dispensed into the container, at least a portion of the nutritional supplement rests unmixed and on top of the liquid.

Abstract: An alcoholic beverage forming apparatus operable to dispense an alcoholic beverage having a desired flavor, proof, temperature, and volume mixes water and alcohol with a flavor medium to form an alcoholic beverage having a desired flavor that may be dispensed from the apparatus. The apparatus includes a capsule holder, a water supply reservoir and an alcohol supply reservoir. The reservoirs are operable to respectively supply water and alcohol to a mixing manifold of the apparatus to such that the water and alcohol are combined in the mixing manifold to form an alcoholic beverage mixture which is subsequently mixed with a flavor medium contained in an interior of a beverage capsule. A dispenser is operable to dispense an alcoholic beverage therefrom during operation of the alcoholic beverage forming apparatus.

Abstract: A system and method to prepare and dispense a N2 or N2/CO2 gas infused chilled beverage is provided. The beverage may be any non-carbonated liquid and in one embodiment the beverage is coffee. The dispensed N2 or N2/CO2 gas infused chilled coffee has a unique appearance and enhanced flavor and aroma. The system may be provided as a self-contained unit.

Abstract: An exemplary mobile wine tasting system may include a vehicle, e.g., a van or other automobile capable of transporting and serving at least one wine product, and at least one wine dispenser installed on the vehicle. The wine dispenser may be configured to dispense the at least one kind of wine to at least one of an interior compartment of the vehicle and an exterior of the vehicle. Accordingly, wine tasting experiences may be brought directly to customers, as opposed to requiring individuals to travel to a winery, bar, or tasting room.

Abstract: A dispenser for delivering a liquid from an inverted supply bottle has a walled base. The walled base of the dispenser is coupled to the inverted supply bottle. The walled base has an interior reservoir. The interior reservoir is in liquid communication with the inverted supply bottle. The interior reservoir stores a predetermined quantity of the liquid transferred from the inverted supply bottle. A valve is attached to the bottom of the walled base. The valve is in liquid communication with the interior reservoir. The valve controls a flow of the liquid through the interior reservoir from the inverted supply bottle. The valve delivers the liquid from the interior reservoir to a location outside of the walled base.

Abstract: The plunger tube connector for a container for packaging a product, particularly a chemical product, comprises a body provided with a through-bore for the passage of the plunger tube, a gripping means mounted on the body and provided with an opening for the passage of said plunger tube, and a compression ring arranged axially at least in part between the body and the gripping means, and comprising a surface of contact with an outer surface of the plunger tube. The compression ring interacts with the body and/or the gripping means in order, when said body and said gripping means are brought closer to one another axially, to obtain a radial shift of said ring towards the inside.

Abstract: The subject of the present invention is a liquid dispenser intended for vehicles and a method implemented during the operation of such a liquid dispenser. The liquid dispenser for a vehicle includes a liquid dispensing circuit (2) connected at one end to a liquid reservoir and at the other end to a flexible hose (3) connected to a gun (4) for dispensing the liquid from a reservoir of the vehicle, the flexible hose (3) having two substantially coaxial ducts (5, 6) including a first duct (5) for transferring the liquid from the liquid dispensing circuit (2) to the gun (4) during the delivery of the liquid from the reservoir of the vehicle, and a second duct (6) extending along the first duct (5). The liquid dispenser includes a heating system (7) intended to generate a flow of hot air through the second duct (6) of the flexible hose (3) so as to heat the liquid inside the first duct (5) of the flexible hose (3).

Abstract: A panel body (11) includes: an elastic cushion material (13) which is provided at at least a part of a surface of a panel base material (12), and forms an uneven shape having an angle portion (16v) on the surface of the panel base material (12); and a cover material (14) which elastically deforms the angle portion (16v) in the direction of compression, and covers the cushion material (13) and the panel base material (12).

Abstract: Measures for reducing parasitic capacitances in the layer structure of capacitive MEMS sensor elements, in which parasitic capacitances between bond pads for electrically contacting measuring capacitor electrodes and an electrically conductive layer lying underneath are reduced by these measures. The sensor structure having the measuring capacitor electrodes and bond pads of such MEMS components are in a layer structure on a semiconductor substrate. The carrier layer directly underneath the bond pad structure is uninterrupted in the bond pad region, and the layer structure includes at least one insulation layer by which at least one of the bond pads is electrically insulated from an electrically conductive layer lying underneath. At least one layer under the carrier layer is structured in the region of this bond pad, so that hollow spaces are situated in the layer structure underneath this bond pad, by which the parasitic capacitance between this bond pad and the conductive layer lying underneath is reduced.

Abstract: Methods of forming sensor integrated package devices and structures formed thereby are described. An embodiment includes providing a substrate core, wherein a first conductive trace structure and a second conductive trace structure are disposed on the substrate core, forming a cavity between the first conductive trace structure and the second conductive trace structure, and placing a magnet on a resist material disposed on a portion of each of the first and second conductive trace structures, wherein the resist material does not extend over the cavity.

Abstract: A hollow structure is manufactured by preparing a lower structure which includes a concave portion, depositing a sacrifice film composed of an organic film on the lower structure by a vapor deposition polymerization method to bury the concave portion with the sacrifice film, removing an unnecessary portion of the sacrifice film, forming an upper structure on the sacrifice film with the unnecessary portion removed, and forming an air gap between the lower structure and the upper structure by removing the sacrifice film.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating of high aspect ratio probes and deforming micropillars and nanopillars are described. Use of polymers in deforming nanopillars and micropillars is also described.

Abstract: Micromachined ultrasonic transducers integrated with complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) substrates are described, as well as methods of fabricating such devices. Fabrication may involve two separate wafer bonding steps. Wafer bonding may be used to fabricate sealed cavities in a substrate. Wafer bonding may also be used to bond the substrate to another substrate, such as a CMOS wafer. At least the second wafer bonding may be performed at a low temperature.

Abstract: Integration of sensor chips with integrated circuit (IC) chips. At least a first sensor chip including a first sensor is affixed to a first side of an interposer to hermetically seal the first sensor within a first cavity. An IC chip is affixed to a second side of the interposer opposite the first sensor, the IC chip is electrically coupled to the first sensor by a through via in the interposer. In embodiments, the first sensor includes a MEMS device and the IC chip comprises a circuit to amplify a signal from the MEMS device. The interposer may be made of glass, with the first sensor chip and the IC chip flip-chip bonded to the interposer by compression or solder. Lateral interconnect traces provide I/O between the devices on the interposer and/or a PCB upon which the interpose is affixed.

Abstract: A dual utilization liquid and gaseous fuel CPOX reformer that includes reaction zones for the CPOX reforming of liquid and gaseous reformable fuels. A reforming method is also provided. The method comprises reforming a first gaseous reformable reaction mixture comprising oxygen-containing gas and vaporized liquid fuel and before or after this step, reforming second gaseous reformable reaction mixture comprising oxygen-containing gas and gaseous fuel to produce a hydrogen-rich reformate.

Abstract: A reformer includes at least one reformer reactor unit (300) having a space-confining wall with external (307) and internal surfaces (306), at least a section of the wall and space confined thereby defining a reforming reaction zone (311), an inlet end (301) and associated inlet (302) for admission of flow of gaseous reforming reactant to the reforming reaction zone (311), an outlet end (303) and associated outlet (304) for outflow of hydrogen-rich reformate produced in the reforming reaction zone (311), at least that section of the wall (305) corresponding to the reforming reaction zone comprising perovskite as a structural component thereof such wall section being gas-permeable to allow gaseous reforming reactant to diffuse therein and hydrogen-rich reformate to diffuse therefrom.

Abstract: Reagent complexes have two or more elements, formally in oxidation state zero, complexed with a hydride molecule. Complexation with the hydride molecule may be evidenced by shifts to lower binding energies, of one or more electrons in each of the two or more elements, as observed by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The reagents can be useful for the synthesis of multi-element nanoparticles. Preparation of the reagents can be achieved by ball-milling a mixture that includes powders of two or more elements and a hydride molecule.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an iron chalcogenide nanocomposite with photoluminescent properties. The present invention also relates to a method for preparing the iron chalcogenide nanocomposite. The method includes (a) dissolving a Fe precursor in an organic solvent to form a Fe solution, (b) dissolving a chalcogen powder or a chalcogen precursor in an organic solvent to form a chalcogen solution, (c) dropwise injecting the Fe solution into the chalcogen solution to prepare a mixture solution in which an iron chalcogenide is formed, and (d) purifying the iron chalcogenide from the mixture solution.

Abstract: A mixed-metallic phosphate compound is disclosed, which contains as the main metal copper in the divalent oxidation state in a proportion of at least 90.0 at-% and one or more doping metals in a total proportion of the doping metals of at least 0.01 to at most 10.0 at-%, wherein the doping metals are selected from the group consisting of the elements of the first and second main groups and the eighth subgroup of the elements of the periodic table, Al, Sn, Si, Bi, Cr, Mo, Mn, and the lanthanides. The stated metal proportions relate to the total amount of the metals in the mixed-metallic phosphate compound. The mixed-metallic compound has a phosphate content expressed as P2O5 in the range of 10 to 60 wt-%. Also disclosed is a method for producing the mixed-metallic phosphate compound and the use thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides for a method of preparing a covalently functionalised carbon nanomaterial, comprising the steps of (i) treating a carbon material with a reducing agent comprising an alkali metal M in the presence of a solvent S to form a reduced-carbon material solution; and (ii) treating the resulting reduced-carbon material solution with a functionalising reagent to form a covalently functionalised carbon nanomaterial, wherein (a) the concentration of alkali metal [M] in step (i) is between 0.003 mol/L and 0.05 mol/L, and (b) the ratio of carbon material to alkali metal (C/M) in solution in step (i) is at least 2:1. A method of preparing a covalently functionalised carbon nanomaterial using N,N-dimethylacetamide as a solvent is also provided.

Abstract: A method for producing carbon nanotubes and/or fibers, such as carbon nanotubes, involves sparging a gas (such as carbon dioxide) through a liquid hydrocarbon (such as crude oil) in the presence of an effective amount of metal oxide particles (such as MgO, Al2O3, CeO2, and/or SiO2 nanoparticles having a size in the range from about 2 nm to about 10 microns, and which may have a bimodal particle size distribution) at a temperature in a range of between about 70 to about 350° C. to produce carbon nanotubes and fibers having a size range of from about 50 nm to about 20 microns.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a method of accurately separating optically active CNTs with single (n, m), as well as optically active carbon nanotubes obtained by the method. A plurality of gel-filled columns are connected in series. An excess amount of carbon nanotube dispersion passes therethrough, so that carbon nanotubes with specific optical activities are adsorbed to each of the columns. The carbon nanotubes are eluted by an eluent. In this manner, optically active carbon nanotubes with specific structures can be separated with high accuracy.

Abstract: Embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure include methods, polymers, and complexes. For example, a method embodiments includes providing a solution including a disassembled supramolecular polymer and a bond disrupting agent, adding an antisolvent to the solution to precipitate the supramolecular polymer, and isolating the precipitated supramolecular polymer from the bond disrupting agent.

Abstract: Provided are a method for producing artificial graphite through a vertical graphitization furnace with easy circulation of inert gas, uniform heating and no damage to the furnace; and particulates used therefor. The method comprises steps of: introducing graphitizable particulates having average particle diameter of 3 to 30 mm into an inside of the furnace from upper part thereof, heating the particulates at 2200° C. to 3200° C. while making inert gas flow from lower part toward upper part thereof to graphitize the particulates, and removing the graphite through lower part thereof. The particulates have average particle diameter of 3 to 30 mm and are obtained by granulating mixture comprising 100 wt parts of graphitizable carbonaceous substance powder having average particle diameter of 10 to 20 ?m, 3 to 20 wt parts of binder decomposable at lower than 1000° C., and 5 to 30 wt parts of liquid which can dissolve the binder.

Abstract: A graphite article which can be compressed by more three (3%) percent at a contact pressure of 100 KPa or less without damaging the graphite article reducing the thermal impedance exhibited by the article. Also a graphite article comprising graphitized polymer having a thickness of at least 75 microns. Preferably the graphite has a density of less than 1.50 g/cc and a compressibility of more than 3% at a contact pressure of 100 KPa. Also the article has a generally sheet like shape. These articles may be used in a thermal management system to dissipate heat from a heat source.

Abstract: There are provided graphene powder that may be mass-produced with high quality, an apparatus for producing graphene powder, a method for producing graphene powder, and a product using the graphene powder. A jet flow as a high speed jet stream of a liquid or a gas is output from a jet flow output unit, and a raw material containing graphite and the jet flow thus output from the jet flow output unit are made to inflow to an input part of a chamber to cleave graphite, thereby outputting graphene powder in the form of fine particles of graphite from an output part. The graphene powder by the production method is formed simply by cleaving the raw material containing graphite with a jet flow, and thus may suffer no contamination due to the absence of contamination with other substances, and thus graphene having high purity and good quality in the form of fine particles may be obtained.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for enhanced demetalyzation of an ultrahard material, such as polycrystalline diamond (PCD) or cubic boron nitride (CBN), using a thiourea solution. The thiourea solution may contain thiourea and an acid, such as a Bronstead acid suitable for leaching. The thiourea may contain thiourea or a substituted thiourea, including tautomers thereof. The ultrahard material may be exposed to the thiourea solution for a time and under conditions sufficient to remove at least a desired amount of a metal, such as a catalyst used during formation of the PCD or CBN, from at least a portion of the ultrahard material.

Abstract: A precursor composition is provided, including a templating component having a block copolymer, a phenolic compound, a cross-linkable aldehyde component, and a graphitizing agent including a polyaromatic hydrocarbon (PAH). The precursor composition is polymerized to form a polymerized carbonization precursor. The polymerized carbonization precursor is carbonized to form a mesoporous carbon material.

Abstract: Highly mesoporous activated carbon products are disclosed with mesoporosities characterized by mesopore volumes of 0.7 to 1.0 cubic centimeters per gram or greater. Also disclosed are activated carbon products characterized by a Molasses Number of about 500 to 1000 or greater. Also disclosed are activated carbon products characterized by a Tannin Value of about 100 to 35 or less. The activated carbon products may be further characterized by total pore volumes of at least 0.85 cubic centimeters per gram and BET surface areas of at least about 800 square meters per gram. The activated carbon product may be derived from a renewable feedstock.

Abstract: Carbon dioxide, such as may be used for a carbonated beverage, is produced by microwave thermal decomposition of a starting material. An apparatus for the process includes a microwave generator, a microwave chamber, a capsule received in the chamber containing starting material(s) and one or more channel(s) for recovering CO2 generated in the process.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing polysilicon using a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) reactor is provided. The apparatus for manufacturing polysilicon includes: a reaction chamber including a substrate and a reactor cover; at least a pair of electrodes installed through the substrate by an insulating member and connected with a power supply; at least a pair of filaments which are coupled with the pair of electrodes by an electrode chuck and of which upper ends are connected to each other; and a cover assembly including an electrode cover surrounding an upper surface and a side of each of the pair of electrodes on the substrate and a cover shield covering the upper surface of the electrode cover.

Abstract: Provided are a method for preparing a hydrophobic silica aerogel by the combined use of a first surface modifier and a second surface modifier, and a hydrophobic silica aerogel prepared by using the method. A hydrophobic silica aerogel having excellent physical properties and pore characteristics as well as a high degree of hydrophobicity may be prepared with high efficiency by the preparation method according to the present invention.

Abstract: An allotrope-specific reagent includes a hydride molecule in complex with a specified elemental allotrope. The elemental allotrope included in the complex substantially retains a specified allotropic structure of the bulk element. For example, the reagent can contain a specified allotrope of carbon, such as amorphous carbon, diamond, or graphite. The allotrope-specific reagent can be useful for the synthesis of allotropic nanoparticles. A method for synthesizing the allotrope-specific reagent includes a step of ball-milling a mixture that includes a bulk hydride molecule, such as lithium borohydride powder, and a powder of a specified elemental allotrope.

Abstract: A method of coating a calcium carbonate film. In one aspect, the method includes preparing a calcium aqueous solution by adding a calcium-containing material to distilled water; forming a calcium carbonate film on a surface of the calcium aqueous solution by leaving the calcium aqueous solution; placing the calcium carbonate film on a substrate; and forming a calcium carbonate coating film by leaving the calcium carbonate film on the substrate.

Abstract: A method of laser treating a zirconia surface can include surface texturing zirconia using a combination of ablation and melting. The method includes forming a carbon film on the zirconia surface and laser treating the carbon-coated zirconia surface. The carbon film can include titanium carbide (TiC) and boron carbide (B4C), for example. The carbon film can include titanium carbide (TiC) and boron carbide (B4C) in equal proportions. The carbon-coated surface can then be scanned with a nitrogen gas-assisted CO2 laser beam to form a laser-treated surface. The laser-treated surface can include ZrN compounds. The present method can enhance the surface properties of zirconia and improve the structural integrity of zirconia.

Abstract: An improved method for treating manganese-containing materials, such as seafloor manganese nodules, by leaching with aqueous HNO3 and NO gas, and more particularly to methods for recovering valuable constituents from such nodules, especially manganese, cobalt, nickel, iron, and copper. It also provides a method to leach manganese material to release the titanium, vanadium, cerium, molybdenum and other metals from the manganese oxides and to make them available to be recovered.

Abstract: An water providing apparatus includes a input portion for receiving untreated water, a treatment portion for treating and outputting treated water having a UV treatment module for reducing pathogens, a filtering mechanism for reducing physical and chemical impurities, a UV analysis module for determining levels of the impurities in the untreated water and for determining levels of impurities in the treated water, a processing unit for determining whether the levels of impurities in the treated water exceed a threshold, a reporting module for outputting the levels of the impurities in the untreated and treated water to a remote monitoring service, and a water output portion for providing the treated water if safe, and for inhibiting output of the treated water if unsafe.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods of purifying water using graphene oxide laminates which are formed from stacks of individual graphene oxide flakes which may be predominantly monolayer thick. The graphene oxide laminates may act as membrans which exclude large solutes i.e. with a hydration radius above about 4.5 ? or they may act as sorbents to absorb solutes having a hydration radius less than about 4.7 ?.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a container for removing antimicrobials from an antimicrobial composition includes a container body having an exterior and an interior. The interior is at least partially filled with carbon granules configured to remove a portion of the antimicrobials in the antimicrobial composition. The interior is further filled with a liquid to at least a level that completely submerges each of the carbon granules. The container further includes an agitator configured to agitate at least a portion of the carbon granules. The container further includes a drain and a drainage valve. The location of the drainage valve is configured to prevent the drainage valve from lowering a current level of the liquid below the level that completely submerges each of the carbon granules.

Abstract: A novel method of producing concentrated streams or otherwise useful hypersaline brines from a source of non-potable or otherwise impaired water is provided. The method comprises feeding the source water into the feed side of a membrane distillation unit while simultaneously feeding a distillate stream through the receiving side of the distillation unit. The feed and receiving sides are separated by a hydrophobic, microporous membrane that allows water vapor to flux through the membrane to the receiving side. As the membrane becomes clogged with particulates, the unit can be subjected to stream flow reversal and/or temperature gradient reversal in order to remove those particulates and restore previous vapor flux levels, after which previous operations can be resumed.

Abstract: A system for separating contaminants from fluids provides a modular mobile continuously operable site configurable multi-phase filtering system having an oil water separator 100, a dwell tank 220, a waste tank 250, an electrocoagulator 120 having plural concentrically aligned perforated tubular sacrificial electrodes, a first and a parallel second particulate filter 300A, 300B, a first and parallel second step-down membrane filter 400A, 400B, an optional ultra filtration filter 500, an optional reverse osmosis filter 600, a mixing station 700 and a totalizer and sensor array 900 to analyze, filter and treat fluids by separating contaminants and particulates and adjusting chemical content to meet specifications desired which will allow the use and re-use of the filtered fluid and the separated contaminants.

Abstract: An electrochemical system and method are disclosed for On Site Generation (OSG) of oxidants, such as free available chlorine, mixed oxidants and persulfate. Operation at high current density, using at least a diamond anode, provides for higher current efficiency, extended lifetime operation, and improved cost efficiency. High current density operation, in either a single pass or recycle mode, provides for rapid generation of oxidants, with high current efficiency, which potentially allows for more compact systems. Beneficially, operation in reverse polarity for a short cleaning cycle manages scaling, provides for improved efficiency and electrode lifetime and allows for use of impure feedstocks without requiring water softeners. Systems have application for generation of chlorine or other oxidants, including mixed oxidants providing high disinfection rate per unit of oxidant, e.g. for water treatment to remove microorganisms or for degradation of organics in industrial waste water.

Abstract: A system to increase the water recovery ratio and efficiently save water in a water treatment and delivery system, particularly for a water treatment system that may be used for water softening, and more particularly for a water treatment system that employs capacitive deionization technology. Stored product water is delivered without the implementation of an additional pump, and the stored product water is used to recover water in a storage tank without having to send water to drain.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a micro-mini pulsed electric field (PEF) device for point-of-use disinfection of drinking water. The pulsed electric field device comprises micro-engineered electrodes and a low-voltage pulsed electric field generator circuit. A pulsed electric field is generated across a micro-gap between the electrodes to achieve disinfection of drinking water.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for dispersing a biofilm in an aqueous stream using fatty acids are disclosed. The fatty acids may have the formula: R1-R5—CH3 wherein R1 is an aryl or arylalkyl, —COR2, —COOR2, or —CONR3R4, —PO3(R2)3; R2 is H, an alkyl, an aryl or arylalkyl, or a halide; R3 and R4 may be the same or different and are H, a hydroxyl, an alkyl, an aryl or arylalkyl, a halide, or a sulfo (sulfonic acid group); R5 is an aliphatic chain having 2-30 carbon atoms and at least one double bond; and wherein when R1 is —COOH and R5 has eight carbon atoms and the FA has only one double bond, such double bond is not on the number 2 carbon.

Abstract: A process is described for recovering alkali-chloride and alkali-sulfate salts from a salt solution. The salt solution comprises alkali metal, chloride and sulfate ions and is directed to a hydrous salt crystallization unit which crystallizes hydrated sulfate salts that comprise sulfate and at least one alkali metal. A purged solution from the hydrous salt crystallization unit is directed to a chloride salt crystallization unit while the hydrated sulfate salt crystals are melted to form an aqueous sulfate solution which is directed to a sulfate crystallization unit. Anhydrous sulfate salts are crystallized from the aqueous sulfate solution to form sulfate salt crystals comprising sulfate and at least one alkali metal. In the chloride salt crystallization unit, chloride salt is crystallized to form chloride salt crystals. A purge from the chloride salt crystallization unit is directed to the hydrous salt crystallization unit.

Abstract: A method of treating a solid particulate suspension, such as fluid fine tailings, to form a flocculated slurry by mixing with the suspension with a polymer having a solubility in water which is temperature responsive, having an upper critical solution temperature between about 0° C. and about 80° C. The polymer may be formed from water-soluble monomer units and monomers units which are insoluble or less-soluble in water than the water-soluble monomers. When used with mature fine tailings (MFT), reclaimable MFT may be formed by dewatering the treated slurry.