Abstract: A method and a device for recovering clay derived from a contaminated raw material containing clay. The method includes eliminating from the contaminated material contaminating materials not bound to the clay, mixing the contaminated raw material, free of unbound contaminating materials, with water, separating from the mixture clay suspended in water and residues of raw material depleted in clay, and separately recovering clay and water.

Abstract: A material separator for separating at least two different materials of differing densities and/or sizes of particles. The material separator generally includes a tank containing a flocculent, a circulation system for circulating flocculent within the tank and a pair of conveyors for moving two different materials out of the tank. The tank may include an upper chamber and a lower chamber. At least a portion of each of the conveyors is located in the upper chamber to catch materials fed into the flocculent. Each of the conveyors may include a mesh belt that permits the flocculent to flow through the conveyor. The tank may include a clean out valve that permits fines and other debris accumulated within the upper chamber to pass into the lower chamber. The flocculent circulation assembly may include a nozzle that can be constructed in various configurations to create flows of flocculent of various velocities and trajectories.

Abstract: Amine-aldehyde resins are disclosed for removing a wide variety of solids and/or ionic species from the liquids in which they are suspended and/or dissolved. These resins are especially useful as froth flotation depressants, for example in the beneficiation of value materials (e.g., bitumen, coal, or kaolin clay) to remove impurities such as sand. The resins are also useful for treating aqueous liquid suspensions to remove solid particulates, as well as for removing metallic ions in the purification of water.

Abstract: A process of regulating the water content of water-fluidized oil sand ore during processing of the ore is disclosed. The weight (mo) of a sample charge of oil sand ore having a bulk volume (Vt) is determined. The inter granular voids of the sample charge are then filled with water, and the weight (ma) of the added inter granular water is determined. A target specific gravity value (SGmix) is selected for the fluidized oil sand ore. The volume of additional water, ?V, to add to a sample charge of bulk volume Vt, to achieve the target specific gravity value (SGmix) is calculated by solving the following equation: ? ? ? V = V t · ( ( m o + m a ? ? ? w · V t ) - SG mix SG mix - 1 ) + m a ? ? ? w The determined volume ?V of additional water per bulk volume Vt of oil sand ore to be processed is added to the oil sand ore, producing water-fluidized oil sand ore. The ore is then processed to concentrate the bitumen.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process of concentrating an aqueous suspension of solid particles comprising the steps of adding at least one organic polymeric flocculant to the suspension thereby forming flocculated solids in which the flocculated solids are allowed form a layer of solids and thereby forming a more concentrated suspension in which the process comprises the addition of an effective amount of an agent that is selected from the group consisting of free radical agents, oxidising agents, enzymes and radiation, in which the agent is applied to the suspension prior to or substantially simultaneously with adding the organic polymeric flocculant and/or the organic polymeric flocculant is added to the suspension in a vessel and the agent is applied to the suspension in the same vessel. The process is particularly suitable for solids liquid separation in which the flocculated solids are allowed to settle by sedimentation in a gravity thickener.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating particles from a medium includes a capillary defining a flow path therein that is in fluid communication with a medium source. The medium source includes engineered acoustic contrast capture particle having a predetermined acoustic contrast. The apparatus includes a vibration generator that is operable to produce at least one acoustic field within the flow path. The acoustic field produces a force potential minima for positive acoustic contrast particles and a force potential minima for negative acoustic contrast particles in the flow path and drives the engineered acoustic contrast capture particles to either the force potential minima for positive acoustic contrast particles or the force potential minima for negative acoustic contrast particles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for separating at least one first material from a mixture comprising this at least one first material, at least one second material and magnetic particles, which comprises the following steps (A) at least partial removal of the magnetic particles by application of a magnetic field gradient, optionally in the presence of at least one dispersing medium, to give a mixture comprising at least one first material and at least one second material and a reduced amount of magnetic particles, (B) contacting of the mixture comprising at least one first material and at least one second material from step (A) with magnetic particles so that the at least one first material and the magnetic particles agglomerate, (C) separation of the agglomeration product from the mixture from step (B) by application of a magnetic field gradient and (D) dissociation of the agglomeration product separated off in step (C) in order to obtain the at least one first material and the magnetic particles

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for separating at least one first material from a mixture comprising this at least one first material and at least one second material, which comprises at least the following steps: (A) contacting of the mixture comprising at least one first material and at least one second material with at least one surface-active substance, if appropriate in the presence of at least one dispersion medium, with the surface-active substance binding to the at least one first material, (B) if appropriate, addition of at least one dispersion medium to the mixture obtained in step (A) in order to obtain a dispersion, (C) treatment of the dispersion from step (A) or (B) with at least one hydrophobic magnetic particle so that the at least one first material to which the at least one surface-active substance is bound and the at least one magnetic particle agglomerate, (D) separation of the agglomerate from step (C) from the mixture by application of a magnetic field in order to obtain th

Abstract: This invention relates to particulate and/or liquid droplet separation processes from liquids containing the same and the use of specific chemical additives to control surface wetting, hydrophobicity and surface forces in such processes.

Abstract: A material separator for separating at least two different materials of differing densities and/or sizes of particles. The material separator generally includes a tank containing a flocculent, a circulation system for circulating flocculent within the tank and a pair of conveyors for moving two different materials out of the tank. The tank may include an upper chamber and a lower chamber. At least a portion of each of the conveyors is located in the upper chamber to catch materials fed into the flocculent. Each of the conveyors may include a mesh belt that permits the flocculent to flow through the conveyor. The tank may include a clean out valve that permits fines and other debris accumulated within the upper chamber to pass into the lower chamber. The flocculent circulation assembly may include a nozzle that can be constructed in various configurations to create flows of flocculent of various velocities and trajectories.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a method of reductively bleaching a mineral slurry comprising adding in the mineral slurry an effective amount of a formamidine sulfinic acid (FAS) and an effective amount of a borohydride to reductively bleach the mineral slurry, compositions comprising a mineral slurry, a FAS, and a borohydride, and final products comprising a mineral obtained by the method disclosed herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to coarse calcined kaolin slurries having a high solids content. The invention also relates to methods of making such slurries. The resulting slurries can have a solids content of at least about 58% by weight wherein at least about 40% by weight of the calcined kaolin particles has a particle size of at least about 1 ?m. The slurries can be stabilized where the solids show little settling from suspension. The slurries have many uses, including fillers or extenders in paint and coating compositions for paper or paper board. More generally, the inventive products may be used wherever calcined kaolins are used. The present invention also related to coarse calcined kaolin slurries having a multimodal particle size distribution and a high solids content.

Abstract: A process for the separation of production fluids is provided. The production fluids comprise an oil/water emulsion stabilized with fine solids. The emulsion may further comprise asphaltenes and naphthenic acids and resins. The process includes subjecting the emulsion to a flocculating agent to flocculate solids within the emulsion, and separating water and solids from crude oil in a first separator. The process further includes subjecting the separated crude oil to a demulsifier after subjecting the emulsion to a flocculating agent, and further separating water from the crude oil in a second separator. A process for producing fluids from a hydrocarbon-bearing reservoir is also provided, using the separation processes herein.

Abstract: Systems and methods for hydroponically growing microorganisms within a self-contained air-supported structure, in which microorganisms are grown in an organic slurry, harvested, and processed to obtain and process and distribute molecules useful for biofuel or other purposes.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of processing kaolin to produce two distinct grades of kaolin in a simultaneous manner. The methods involve processing kaolin by degritting a kaolin crude; subjecting the degritted kaolin crude to flotation to provide a kaolin having reduced titania content; ozonating the kaolin having reduced titania content; centrifuging the kaolin to provide a coarse stream and fine stream; refining the coarse stream into a coarse engineered kaolin pigment; and refining the fine stream into a fine glossing kaolin pigment. Also disclosed are systems for the automated processing of kaolin to produce two distinct grades of kaolin with real time feedback.

Abstract: A process is provided for obtaining flotation froth with a predetermined solids content by manipulating the bias of a flotation column. The flotation column is used for the flotation of an oil sands slurry, for example oil sands middlings, where bitumen is separated from mineral particles. Bitumen, which is hydrophobic, adheres to rising air bubbles to make a bitumen concentrate. Solids being mostly hydrophilic, report to the column underflow as flotation tails.

Abstract: A method of separating drilling/production fluids from solid cuttings from a mixture received from down hole, without the use of shale shakers, de-sanders, or de-sanders, through the steps of flowing the mixture from the well bore into a flow line above the surface of a well; next, flowing the mixture into a single separation zone of a size capable of receiving the mixture directly from the flow line on a continuous basis; circulating or centrifuging the mixture to a desired RPM within the separation zone; providing a liquid permeable barrier surrounding the mixture as the mixture is centrifuged within the separation zone; collecting the liquid in a first retrieval zone after the liquid has penetrated permeable barrier; and collecting the solids that could not penetrate the permeable barrier in a second retrieval zone within the barrier.

Abstract: The present invention provides high brightness kaolins exhibiting a Brightness (GE) of at least about 90.0. The hydrous kaolin pigments of the present invention may also have, inter alia, a steepness index (d30/d70×100) of at least about 39 and/or a titania concentration less than or equal to about 0.40% by weight of the pigment on a dry basis. (062) The hydrous kaolin pigment is produced by a process comprising: a) forming an aqueous suspension of a hydrous kaolin clay; b) forming a primary product by subjecting the suspension to classification or a combination of classification and griding; c), separating the kaolin from impurities by selective flocculation; and d) defining the separated kaolin. (063) The hydrous kaolins of the present invention allow coated papers to be produced at high brightness while maintaining acidic conditions on a paper machine. The invention pigmets exhibit brightness levels unexpectedly higher, e.g., about 2 to about 2.

Abstract: A metals/minerals recovery and waste treatment process comprising a main separation stage in which a metal/mineral-bearing ore is slurried with water and separated into an enriched fraction and an aqueous metal/mineral waste fraction, and a waste sedimentation stage in which the aqueous metal/mineral waste fraction is sedimented in one or more settling lagoons to provide a thickened sediment layer and supernatant; and the waste sedimentation stage comprises feeding the aqueous metal/mineral waste into a solids contact vessel or other flocculating chamber, wherein the aqueous metal/mineral waste is diluted with water containing one or more flocculant(s) at more than one concentration, one of which concentrations is at least 10 times higher than the other, within the SCV, flocculating the diluted aqueous waste, and sedimenting the diluted and flocculated aqueous waste to provide a liquid supernatant layer and a pumpable thickened sediment layer in a settling basin.

Abstract: A method of enhancing the recovery of useful coal or potassium chloride from screenbowl centrifuge separation operations comprising adding to the screenbowl centrifuge, from about 0.005 lbs active polymer/ton dry solids in centrifuge to about 0.70 lbs active polymer/ton dry solids in centrifuge, of an anionic copolymer, wherein said anionic copolymer is selected from the group comprising copolymers of acrylamide and acrylic acid and the known salts thereof.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a novel method and system for enhancing the efficiency of hydraulic centrifugal separators (cyclones) in the removal of fine size particles from a liquid carrying medium. More particularly, it is concerned with improvements in the removal efficiency of any number of cyclonic devices that rely on the use of centrifugal force to separate fine size particles of differing density from the liquid carrying medium by addition of polymeric additives, both before, and, as necessary, inside the cyclone body.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved method of beneficiating and dewatering kaolin clays. The product of the improved process is a brightened, dewatered kaolin, suitable for use in pigments and paper coating compositions. The improved beneficiation process provides refined kaolin for pigments and other purposes of the same or better quality as prior art processes, but with the use of fewer steps and materials, at significant cost and environmental savings.

Abstract: A method of enhancing the recovery of useful coal or potassium chloride or borax from screenbowl centrifuge separation operations comprising adding to the screenbowl centrifuge, from about 0.03 lbs active polymer/ton dry solids in centrifuge to about 0.70 lbs active polymer/ton dry solids in centrifuge, of a cationic terpolymer, wherein said cationic terpolymer is prepared by polymerizing from about 1 to about 99.1 mole percent of one or more cationic monomers, from about 0.1 to about 10 mole percent of one or more hydroxyalkyl(meth)acrylates and from one to about 98.1 mole percent of one or more nonionic monomers.

Abstract: A clarification system for fluids in which particles are separated from the fluid by flotation and in which the buoyant media inducing the flotation is recycled. Flotation can be assisted by a flotation assistance device, such as dissolved air flotation.

Abstract: A method of dewatering an aqueous mineral suspension comprising introducing into the suspension a flocculating system comprising, a) a substantially non-ionic polymeric flocculant and b) an anionic polymeric flocculant, characterised in that, the substantially non-ionic polymeric flocculant is added to the suspension before the addition of the anionic polymeric flocculant. The method is useful for flocculating China clay suspensions, suspensions of s welling clays, calcium carbonate suspensions, titanium dioxide suspensions, suspensions of coal tailings, red mud and phosphate slimes etc.

Abstract: A new method of improving the process of dewatering fine particulate materials is disclosed. In this method, an aqueous slurry of fine particles is treated with appropriate hydrophobizing reagents so that the particulate material becomes moderately hydrophobic with its water contact angle considerably below 90°. A low hydrophile-lipophile balance (HLB) number surfactant is then added to the slurry, so that the surfactant molecules adsorb on the moderately hydrophobic surface primarily by hydrophobic attraction and, thereby, increase its contact angle close to or above 90°. By virtue of the greatly enhanced hydrophobicity, the water molecules adhering to the surface are destabilized and removed more readily by a mechanical dewatering process. Any nonionic surfactant with its HLB number below about 15 may be used for the hydrophobicity enhancement. The surfactants may be used in conjunction with appropriate solvents such as light hydrocarbon oils and short-chain alcohols.

Abstract: The specification describes one or more embodiments of the present invention, which relates to a method of reducing phosphate ore losses in a desliming process. A phosphate ore preparation slurry is directed to a desliming unit; surfactants and/or an organic polymers are added to the slurry and mixed into the slurry to reduce the viscosity of the slurry and to settle out the fine phosphate ore particles for recovery. These particles are collected and directed to a beneficiation process for recovering the phosphate ore product. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope of meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).

Abstract: Methods of enhancing the dewatering of sand are disclosed. The methods include adding an anionic or nonionic surfactant to the wet sand prior to dewatering.

Abstract: A method of dewatering a suspension of solids in an aqueous medium, comprising introducing into the suspension a flocculating system, which flocculation system comprises, a) a substantially non-ionic water-soluble polymer and b) a cationic polymeric flocculant of intrinsic viscosity at least 4 dl/g, thereby causing the solids to flocculate, separating the flocculated from aqueous medium, characterised in that i) the components a) and b) are introduced into the suspension as an aqueous blend; or ii) component a) is a non-ionic polymer that has an average molecular weight of below 750,000 and components a) and b) are introduced into the suspension as an aqueous blend or separately. Also claimed is an aqueous composition comprising the substantially non-ionic water-soluble polymer and cationic polymer, method for making it and a composition comprising a blend of substantially anhydrous particles of component (a) and component (b).

Abstract: A process for recovering fine coals and clarifying water for recycling features with three distinct mechanisms: hydrophobic extraction, electrolyte coagulation, and macromolecular flocculation, which if desired may be integrated into a single stage. The hydrophobic extraction is accomplished using oil to form a coal-in-oil mixture. The process water is clarified using a flocculants, more preferably a combination of coagulant and anionic flocculants. With a well defined reagent addition scheme, this process allows a combustible recovery greater than 88% at an ash content less than 11%, while producing a clean water containing less than 20 ppm suspended solids from a tailing's stream. The coal-in-oil mixture may be used as a fuel for example in coal-firing boilers and power generators.

Abstract: In a mineral preparation plant which receives a raw mineral feed and separates the raw mineral feed into a clean mineral and a refuse, an apparatus is provided for use therein. The apparatus retains dilute media which is formed as a by-product of the separation process. The apparatus includes a sump formed in a floor of the mineral preparation plant and configured to receive and retain: (a) dilute media, consisting of finely sized particles of mineral, refuse, media and water, from an underpan of at least one refuse screen and a clean mineral screen, and (b) mineral, refuse and media particles spilled by mineral processing equipment in the mineral preparation plant. The apparatus further includes a pump associated with the sump for pumping the dilute media and the spilled mineral, refuse and media particles received in the sump as a mixture to a media separating device, and a nuclear density gauge and integrated control system for controlling the amount of media fed to the media separating device.

Abstract: The claimed invention is a method for separating Bayer process red mud from a Bayer process liquor which comprises adding to a Bayer process liquor containing red mud an effective amount of a water soluble synthetic flocculant, dextran and starch combination. The flocculant is added anywhere in the slurry containing the red mud suspended in Bayer process liquor, or in a liquor slurry containing bauxite prior to or during digestion. Once the flocculant combination is added, it is mixed sequentially with the Bayer process liquor and the red mud contained in the Bayer process liquor is removed by sedimentation, centrifugation or filtration.

Abstract: A system and method for dewatering a continuous stream of slurry at high flow rates demonstrates enhanced efficiency, economy and ease of operation. A stream of slurry is subject to continuous or continual measurement of flow rate and pulp density and the measurements are used to control the rate of addition of a flocculating agent to the slurry. The flocculated slurry is delivered to a dewatering unit where it is passed through a diffuser and evenly delivered to a tracking screen for filtering solids from a liquid filtrate. The pulp density of the filtrate may also be measured and used to control addition of a flocculating agent. The tracking screen is adjusted to achieve an angle of repose suited to the particular composition of the filter cake. The diffuser has a base having a horizontal section aspect ratio of from about 1:1 to about 4:1 and continuously changing vertically into an upper portion having a horizontal section with an aspect ratio of from about 40:1 to about 100:1.

Abstract: A method of treating a kaolin particulate material to improve its properties by removal of impurities which includes the steps of: (a) producing a dispersed aqueous suspension of a kaolin particulate material containing at least 0.1% by weight, based on the dry weight of the kaolin particulate material, of separable impurity by adding a dispersing agent to the kaolin particulate material to deflocculate solid particles of the material in the suspension; (b) conditioning the suspension prior to adding selective flocculation polymer thereto by allowing the suspension to age for a period of at least 30 minutes and optionally by adding one or more conditioning chemicals thereto; (c) adjusting the pH of the suspension to be at least about 9.5; (d) adding to the suspension at a pH of at least about 9.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved method of beneficiating and dewatering kaolin clays. The product of the improved process is a brightened, dewatered kaolin, suitable for use in pigments and paper coating compositions. The improved beneficiation process provides refined kaolin for pigments and other purposes of the same or better quality as prior art processes, but with the use of fewer steps and materials, at significant cost and environmental savings.

Abstract: A method for treating a fluid slurry with concrete grindings to separate constituents thereof, the constituents including water, sand and cement particles, the method including removing solids (e.g. large concrete fragments, rock, etc.) from fluid slurry with vibratory separation apparatus, the vibratory separation apparatus having screen apparatus for separating materials, the vibratory separation apparatus producing wet solids flowing off the top of the screen apparatus and a fluid stream containing water and cement particles, the fluid stream discharged beneath the screen apparatus, feeding at least a portion of the fluid stream to centrifuge apparatus, and separating cement particles from the fluid stream with the centrifuge apparatus and producing a stream of water with the centrifuge apparatus; and re-usable cement particles recovered using such a method.

Abstract: A method of dewatering a mixture of coal tailings, water and contaminants comprising the steps of (a) providing a tank having a base surface and introducing said mixture of coal, tailings, water, and contaminants to said tank and allowing said coal tailings to settle on said base surface, (b) removing the coal tailings from said base surface of said tank along with water and contaminants and then separating said water and at least some of said contaminants from said coal tailings wherein said separated contaminants are suspended in said separated water, (c) adding an agent selected from one or more of the group consisting of a coagulant and a flocculent to said water and suspended contaminants separated from the coal tailings in step (b), (d) allowing the agent added in step (c) to coagulate or flocculate with the suspended contaminants to form a coagulated or flocculated mass and a quantity of supernatant water, and (e) separating the coagulated or flocculated mass formed in step (d) from the quantity of sup

Abstract: The invention discloses a method and a device for de-agglomeration and electrostatic charging of a fine powder preferably intended for inhalation purposes. The electrostatic charging takes place by means of tribo, corona and/or inductive charging. The device according to the invention is particularly intended for being able to dose decomposed powder directly into the inspiration air for administering of, for instance, active pharmaceutical substances, alternatively provide a further dosing device with electrostatically charged de-agglomerated powder for an even more controlled dosing of the substance into the inspiration air. De-agglomeration preferably takes place in that two rotating brushes containing powder are touching each other. The bristles are rubbed against each other and thereby decompose the powder agglomerates. The rotation speed of the brushes is suitably optimized to achieve the best possible result for different powder substances.

Abstract: A method for producing an Attapulgite clay (Fuller's Earth) that significantly removes other types of clays and minerals, resulting in improved performance. A unique dispersant is used that will fully disperse the individual Attapulgite particles in water such that the particles remain in suspension, and allow the non-Attapulgite clay particles to be liberated, which then can be easily separated through various techniques. The Attapulgite clay may be recovered from the dispersion and dried in such a manner to produce a finely sized powder from ore, without the need for any grinding or milling operation. The dried Attapulgite clay has a free moisture content of 2-3%. The dried Attapulgite clay with adsorbed dispersant is redispersed in water and retains thixotropic properties.

Abstract: A process for the flocculation of impurities from clays in which the following steps are performed: blunging the clay with a dispersing agent or combination of dispersing agents in water to form an aqueous dispersion, treating the aqueous dispersion with at least one aliphatic or aromatic hydroxamic acid or salt conditioning agent, flocculating the conditioned dispersion with a water soluble or water dispersible organic polymer containing hydroxamic acid groups or salts thereof, and removing the flocculated impurities to form a purified clay dispersion.

Abstract: Naturally occurring lipids of vegetable and animal origin are broken into smaller molecules, and used as dewatering aids. The process of breaking the molecules include transesterification, interesterification, and saponification followed by acidulation. The modified lipid molecules can adsorb on the surface of the particles to be dewatered and greatly enhance their hydrophobicity, which will help increase the rate of dewatering and hence reduce cake moisture. The modified lipids are more effective dewatering aids than the naturally occurring unmodified lipids, possibly because they can more readily form close-packed monolayers of hydrophobes on the surface of the particles.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method for reducing the viscosity of the settled mud or underflow of a raked thickener thereby reducing the torque necessary to move the rake blade through the settled mud. The method includes the step of delivering a viscosity modifier to the settled mud and in front of the rake blade by pumping the viscosity modifier down the rake arm to an area in front of the rake blade. The method also includes an improved rake mechanism that includes a means for delivering viscosity modifier to the settled mud and in front of the rake blade. The present invention also includes a method for increasing the rate of consolidation of flocculated solids in a slurry.

Abstract: An improved process for the selective flocculation of impurities from clays is disclosed. The process comprises blunging the clay in the presence of dispersing agents, conditioning the blunged clay with aliphatic or aromatic hydroxamic acids, or salts thereof, flocculating the impurities with a high molecular weight polymeric flocculant, particularly polymers containing hydroxamate groups, and removing the flocculated impurities from the unflocculated clay. The use of hydroxamic conditioning agents improves the removal of impurities from the clay, thereby providing a clay product having high brightness and low level impurities. The hydroxamic acid conditioning agents may advantageously be used in combination with other conditioning additives and with a wide variety of polymeric flocculating agents.

Abstract: A device comprises a means for radiating ultrasound from one face of a chamber holding a sample solution containing particles to be concentrated, and a reflective face inclined to the face irradiated with the ultrasound. The frequency of the ultrasound radiated from the ultrasound radiating means is changed periodically and asymmetrically with the passage of time.

Abstract: Spheres are released from within plurospheres by mixing a fluid with fly ash or bottom ash particulate material obtained by burning coal to form a slurry. The slurry is vibrated at an ultrasonic frequency and with sufficient power that plurospheres in the particulate material are cracked open to release spheres of the material which are encapsulated within the plurospheres. The so-treated material is separated from the slurry to obtain the released spheres.

Abstract: A method for the treatment of a kaolin clay crude to separate by selective flocculation impurity particles contained in the crude from finely divided kaolinite particle contained in the crude, comprising: (a) forming said crude into a dispersed aqueous slurry b adding water and at least one dispersant to said crude; (b) conditioning said dispersed aqueous slurry by adding conditioning chemical thereto, the conditioning chemical providing addition of monovalent cations to the slurry without adding multivalent cations thereto; (c) selectively flocculating said conditioned slurry by adding to said conditioned slurry a composition comprising (i) a high molecular weight component comprising an organic anionic polymer having a molecular weight of at least 1 million; and (ii) a low molecular weight component comprising an inorganic anionic polyphosphate; said composition causing impurity particles in said slurry to flocculate and settle as a dense lower layer and kaolinite particles in said slurry to be defloccul

Abstract: A process for treating thickened phosphatic clay suspensions, waste clay and phosphogypsum produced in the processing of phosphate ore by water beneficiation and chemical processing, the thickened phosphatic clay suspension having a solid content of from about 4 to about 40 percent by weight, includes mixing a sufficient amount of deflocculating agent with a thickened phosphatic clay suspension to cause deflocculation of the suspension to an extent sufficient to reduce the viscosity thereof to a value enabling the deflocculated suspension to be readily pumped from one location to another, the deflocculating agent comprising an alkali compound of a phosphorus oxide. The deflocculated suspension of reduced viscosity is pumped from one location to another and separated into a clay suspension and a phosphatic mineral and sand suspension.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method for reducing the viscosity of the settled mud or underflow of a raked thickener thereby reducing the torque necessary to move the rake blade through the settled mud. The method includes the step of delivering a viscosity modifier to the settled mud and in front of the rake blade by pumping the viscosity modifier down the rake arm to an area in front of the rake blade. The method also includes an improved rake mechanism that includes a means for delivering viscosity modifier to the settled mud and in front of the rake blade. The present invention also includes a method for increasing the rate of consolidation of flocculated solids in a slurry.

Abstract: A process for the treatment of a solid waste slurry formed from solid waste particles mixed with a liquid includes delivering a solid waste slurry to a first solid-liquid separation means for separating a first amount of the solid waste particles from the slurry, followed by delivering the solid waste slurry from the first solid-liquid separation means to a tank where the solid waste slurry is stirred to maintain the solid waste particles in suspension. The solid waste slurry is then discharged from the tank with a portion of the solid waste slurry being recirculated back to the tank while a second portion of the solid waste slurry is delivered to a second solid-liquid separation means for separating a second amount of the particles from the slurry.

Abstract: A process is provided which can be used, for example, to clarify substantially aqueous fluids and separate solids from the fluid. The process comprises combining the fluid with a composition which comprises an anionic silica-based colloid having an S value of less than 50% and a cationic organic polymer.