Abstract: Disclosed is a cross-linked molecularly imprinted polymer including cross-linked chitosan having selective binding sites for phosphate ions, phosphate containing molecules, or a combination of both.

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 in the separation of bitumen from sand and/or clay or in the beneficiation of clay (e.g., kaolin clay) from an impure clay-containing ore. 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 method of controlling the concentration of P of cleaning solution waste water starts by providing a waste water buffer tank capable of either sending the waste water to a waste water treatment plant or storing the waste water after the waste water is accepted. The concentration of P in the cleaning solution is set within a target concentration range, and matter to be treated is treated. The concentration of P in the waste water is measured in the waste water buffer tank. When the measured value of the concentration of P is less than a selected upper limit, the waste water is sent from the waste water buffer tank to the waste water treatment plant. When the measured value of the concentration of P is higher than the selected upper limit, sending the waste water to the waste water treatment plant is stopped, and the waste water is stored in the waste water buffer tank. The concentration of P is reduced to a value within the target concentration range, and the matter to be treated is treated.

Abstract: An aquarium filter element having a removable insert. The removable insert may include a chemical agent or biological agent for treating aquarium water.

Abstract: A method for removing phosphorus includes at least the steps of: 1) placing lanthanum oxide hydrate (absorbent) into a device for removing phosphorus, and allowing sewage having a phosphorus content of less than 100 mg/L to flow through the device; 2) adding sodium hydroxide (regeneration solution of the absorbent) when the absorption capacity of the device is exhausted, and allowing the regeneration reaction to proceed for between 4 and 12 hours; and 3) collecting eluate from step 2) and recycling phosphorus.

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 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 process and a composite for removing toxic cations and anions from blood or dialysate is disclosed. The process involves contacting blood or dialysate with a shaped ion exchange composite to remove ammonium and phosphate ions. The composite is a mixture of an anion exchange composition such as zirconia and a microporous cation exchange composition formed into a shaped article and optionally containing a binder such as hydrous zirconium oxide. The microporous cation exchangers are represented by the following empirical formula.

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: A method for treating phosphate-containing waste water comprising treating phosphate-containing waste water with a metal hydroxide complex as a phosphate adsorbent represented by formula (1):M.sub.1-x.sup.2+ M.sub.x.sup.3+ (OH.sup.-).sub.2+x-y (A.sup.n-).sub.y/n(1)wherein M.sup.2+ represents at least one divalent metal ion selected from the group consisting of Mg.sup.2+, Ni.sup.2+, Zn.sup.2+, Fe.sup.2+, Ca.sup.2+ and Cu.sup.2+, M.sup.3+ represents at least one trivalent metal ion selected from the group consisting of Al.sup.3+ and Fe.sup.3+, A.sup.n- represents n-valent anion, 0.1.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.0.5, 0.1.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.0.5 and n is 1 or 2 to adsorb phosphate is provided.

Abstract: The aqueous clay waste formed during a phosphate or other mineral recovery processes is flocculated in a well which is generally formed in a sedimentation lagoon, the supernatant is taken from the top of well and is recycled to the main flotation or other separation process (generally after running across sediment in the lagoon) and the thickened sediment which is formed in the well is pumped from the base of the well to one or more final lagoons where it is converted to a solid sediment by sedimentation and evaporation.

Abstract: A method for treating phosphate-containing waste water comprising treating phosphate-containing waste water with a metal hydroxide complex as a phosphate adsorbent represented by the formula:M.sub.1-x.sup.2+ M.sub.x.sup.3+ (OH.sup.-).sub.2+x-y (A.sup.n-).sub.y/nwherein M.sup.2+ is at least one divalent metal ion selected from the group consisting of Mg.sup.2+, Ni.sup.2+, Zn.sup.2+, Fe.sup.2+, Ca.sup.2+ and Cu.sup.2+ ; M.sup.3+ is at least one divalent metal ion selected from the group consisting of Al.sup.3+ and Fe.sup.3+ ; A.sup.n- is an n-valent anion; x is in the range 0.1.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.0.5; y is in the range 0.1.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.0.5; and n is 1 or 2.

Abstract: A phosphate feed is separated into an enriched phosphate fraction and a waste aqueous stream which includes recoverable phosphate feed particles in an aqueous clay slime and which is flowed along a flow passage through a settling zone (where recoverable phosphate feed is recovered) into a quiescent sedimentation area where the slime settles, and water soluble polymeric flocculant for the slime is added to the aqueous stream to promote settling of the phosphate feed particles substantially without settling of slime in the settling zone and to accelerate sedimentation of flocculated slime in the sedimentation zone.

Abstract: A process is provided for the precipitation of phosphates from phosphate-comprising waters which utilizes iron hydroxide of the formula Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3.nH.sub.2 O wherein n=0.5-3.0. The iron hydroxide is prepared from natural or technical muds comprising iron in a process which involves dissolving with mineral acid and precipitation with a base. Other metal hydroxides are used together with the iron hydroxide.

Abstract: A method of dewatering mineral-containing phosphatic clay sludge comprising adding to the sludge (a) an aqueous solution or emulsion of acrylamide polymer flocculating agent and (b) a microfiber additive. By using this method, such mineral-containing sludges can be quickly dewatered into a cake comprising 25-35% solids which can then be further processed to a 60% solids-containing material. The method is particularly suitable for use in methods for treating, recovering, rehabilitating and recycling residue of mining operations. With modification, the method is also suitable for dewatering organic sludges.

Abstract: A method of extracting and separating a spent solvent generated in a nuclear fuel cycle and containing a phosphate (TBP) and a higher hydrocarbon (n-dodecane). This method comprises bringing the spent solvent into contact with methanol, thereby causing the spent solvent to be separated into a phase mainly composed of the higher hydrocarbon and a methanol phase containing the phosphate. By drying the phase mainly composed of the higher hydrocarbon at a low temperature, a minor amount of methanol contained in the phase is separated through evaporation to recover the higher hydrocarbon. By drying the methanol phase at a low temperature, methanol is recovered through evaporation and the phosphate remains as a remaining solution. The remaining solution may further be subjected to low-temperature vacuum distillation to separate the solution into the phosphate (TBP) and a deterioration product thereof (DBP).

Abstract: A process for improving a solid/liquid separation of tails from acidulated or non-acidulated liquors obtained by leaching phosphate ores or waste comprising: adding a mixture of dissolved polymers of hydroxyalkyl cellulose and polyoxyethylene into an aqueous slurry of leached phosphate wastes to obtain flocks of phosphatic clay wastes; allowing said flocks to settle into an agglomerated mass; decanting luqiid from insoluble residues to obtain tails having a solid content from about 55 to 70%.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for reducing the amount of a first contaminant and second contaminant in a solution to environmentally safe levels, said solution having a substantially greater amount of the first contaminant than the second contaminant. The method comprises: contacting the solution with an activated or calcined product of a compound having the formula A.sub.6 B.sub.2 (OH).sub.16 C.4H.sub.2 O, wherein A is a divalent metal cation, B is a trivalent metal cation and C is a mono- to tetravalent anion. The method further comprises separating the solution from the contacted product. The method is particularly useful for removing both selenium and sulfate, arsenic and sulfate, or arsenic and phosphate from a waste water stream. An unpredicted preference for selenium and arsenic, in the presence of other contaminants including sulfate and phosphate, was also shown herein.

Abstract: An improved method for dewatering thin slurries of very fine clay or clay-like material to yield high solids content filter cake, for example, 40% solids and greater, by the use of flocculating agent combinations involving polyethylene oxide-type flocculating agents and polyacarylamide-type flocculating agents. The method generally involves admixing the combination of flocculating agents with the slurry, dewatering the slurry by means of a mechanical dewatering apparatus and feeding the thickened slurry to a belt press filter.

Abstract: A process for obtaining phosphorus from an aqueous suspension of a phosphorus slime comprising subjecting the aqueous suspension to at least one electric discharge of an energy of from 20 to 180 J as calculated per kg of the phosphorus slime in a DC electric field, or the aqueous suspension of the phosphorus slime is subjected to the effect of an AC electric field with a power of 85-250 W. The process is conducted at a temperature not below the melting point of phosphorus.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a coagulant for minute mineral particles in suspension, comprising a copolymer of 0.5 to 10 mol % of 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid or a salt thereof, 40 to 99.5 mol % of N-hydroxymethylacrylamide and 0 to 59.5 mol % of acrylamide and showing a reduced viscosity of 10 to 30 dl/g in an aqueous 1N solution of sodium chloride at a temperature of 25.degree. C. and a concentration of the copolymer of 0.1 g/dl therein, and a method for coagulating the minute mineral particles in a suspension, comprising adding the coagulant a neutral waste water.

Abstract: A process of flocculating suspended solids which comprises treating such suspension with an effective amount of a flocculant comprising a water-soluble terpolymer which contains sulfonate groups and has an RSV of at least 15.

Abstract: Described herein is a process for flocculating taconite tailings which comprises (a) forming a concentrated aqueous solution from a water-soluble ter- or higher polymer water-in oil emulsion, (b) diluting said concentrated aqueous solution of ter- or higher polymer formed in step (a) with additional water, (c) mixing the diluted solution of (b) with taconite tailings under appropriate floc forming conditions and (d) allowing the suspended solids to settle to form an essentially clear aqueous supernatant.

Abstract: A process for separating and recovering non-metallic minerals, particularly phosphate, from an ore containing non-uniform sized particles, including colloidal particles. The ore is slurried in an alkaline, aqueous solution with a dispersing agent. A flotation collector is added, and the mixture is contacted with a hydrophobic, high molecular weight, nonionic polymer to flocculate the fine particles and make them amenable to subsequent flotation. A second embodiment provides a process for the recovery of an upgraded non-metallic ore from ore slimes, such as phosphate slimes, utilizing a high molecular weight, polyacrylamide, anionic flocculating agent.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for dewatering mill tailings, slimes and slurries, wherein ultra fine particles materially reduce the rate of natural dewatering and hinder their disposal in the mining and processing of phosphate, coal, potash, uranium, talc and the like. The invention is preferably carried out in a closed loop system involving the use of electrokinetic densification and substantially continuous decanting of the supernatant.

Abstract: Process for recovery of elemental phosphorus from phosphorus sludge produced in a phosphorus furnace by treating the sludge in a centrifugal separator and separating a fine dirt slimes fraction from a recovered heavy fraction containing the major portion of phosphorus; treating the slimes fraction in hydrocyclones not over one inch (24.4 mm) in diameter to separate two streams, a first phosphorus-poor stream containing particles smaller than 8-15 micrometers, and a second phosphorus-rich stream containing particles larger than 8-15 micrometers; recycling the second, phosphorus-rich stream to the centrifugal separator for phosphorus recovery, and discarding the first, phosphorus-poor stream.

Abstract: An improved dewatering agent for aqueous slurries of mineral concentrates comprising branched dodecylbenzene sulphonic acid used alone or in combination with sodium xylene sulphonate.

Abstract: A method for dewatering phosphate slimes and recovering a liquid solution involves adding a calcium sulfate hemihydrate to the slimes, mixing the resulting admixture to effect formation of calcium sulfate dihydrate crystals in the admixture, and recovering a liquid solution from the resulting crystal-containing admixture.The calcium sulfate hemihydrate addition may be followed by addition of calcium sulfate dihydrate. The calcium sulfate hemihydrate addition may be preceded by acidification of the slimes to pH 1-3 with sulfuric acid, which addition may be followed by the addition of other calcium salts to the slimes.A sufficient amount of calcium oxide or calcium carbonate or both may be added to the recovered liquid solution to raise the pH of the liquid solution to a value above about 6.0. Mixing permits calcium phosphate salts to precipitate, allowing for separately recovering the calcium phosphate salts and a dephosphated liquid portion.

Abstract: Described herein is a process for flocculating phosphatic slimes which comprises (a) forming a concentrated aqueous solution from a water-soluble ter-or higher polymer water-in oil emulsion, (b) diluting said concentrated aqueous solution of ter-or higher polymer formed in step (a) with additional water, (c) mixing the diluted solution of (b) with phosphatic slimes under appropriate floc forming conditions and (d) allowing the suspended solids to settle from said slime to form an essentially clear aqueous supernatant.

Abstract: There is provided a flocculating process, especially for clay-water suspensions, in which high molecular weight polymers of N-loweralkyl substituted acrylamides and methacrylamides are used as flocculating agent. There are also provided novel polymeric flocculating agents which have the property of exhibiting a critical flocculation temperature, below which they will cause flocculation of suspended solids but above which they are ineffective as flocculants.

Abstract: An improved dewatering agent for aqueous slurries of mineral concentrates comprising branched dodecylbenzene sulphonic acid used alone or in combination with sodium xylene sulphonate.

Abstract: Phosphatic wastes produced during the mining and beneficiation of phosphate ore are concentrated by treatment in a crossflow filter under conditions which prevent the formation of a filter cake on the filtering surface. Slimes having an initial concentration of suspended solids, usually less than about 5% suspended solids, can be treated in series of crossflow filters to concentrate the solids to 24% or higher. In one embodiment a series of three spiral-wound crossflow filters followed by a fourth stage tubular crossflow filter is used to concentrate a slime having about 3% suspended solids to a concentrate having 30% or more suspended solids. By maintaining the linear velocity over the surface of the filter medium at 5 ft/sec. or higher a relatively high permeation rate can be achieved while producing a permeate having an extremely low suspended solids concentration. Proper selection of filter medium and flow rates can produce permeates having a turbidity less than about 5 Jackson Turbidity Units.

Abstract: By dispersing a clay-containing mineral matrix in an aqueous solution of EDTA before washing or classifying the ore, one obtains a system in which the subsequently formed clays consolidate at an unexpectedly high rate and to a higher final density.

Abstract: Certain yam starches hydrolyzed in the presence of insoluble metal salts formed in situ are surprisingly effective flocculants for destabilizing dilute as well as thick sludge suspensions and are particularly effective when used in the treatment of bituminous tar sands tailings and in phosphate slimes.

Abstract: Dasheen starch hydrolyzed in the presence of insoluble metal salts formed in situ is a surprisingly effective flocculant for destabilizing dilute as well as thick sludge suspensions and is particularly effective when used in the treatment of bituminous tar sands tailings and in phosphate slimes.

Abstract: Cassava starch hydrolyzed in the presence of insoluble metal salts formed in situ is a surprisingly effective flocculant for destabilizing dilute as well as thick sludge suspensions and is particularly effective when used in the treatment of bituminous tar sands tailings and in phosphate slimes.

Abstract: A method for dewatering clay slimes comprised of treating the slimes with a fly ash coated with a silane coupling reagent to which is bonded a polyacrylamide flocculant.

Abstract: A composition and method of preparing the composition for dewatering clay slimes comprised of treating the slimes with a fly ash coated with a silane coupling reagent to which is bonded a polyacrylamide flocculant.

Abstract: Phosphorus is recovered from the phosphorus sludge formed in the electrothermal production of phosphorus by contacting the sludge with a hydrophobic surface with sufficient force to cause the droplets of phosphorus in the sludge to coalesce and accumulate on the surface, from which it can become detached in the form of large phosphorus drops. One such recovery process involves contacting the sludge, under hydrostatic or other pressure, with a porous membrane formed of a hydrophobic material, through which passes coalesced phosphorus from the sludge, the water and the bulk of the impurities of the sludge being restrained against passage. Other coalescing procedures involve shearing the sludge between sliding hydrophobic surfaces and passing the sludge between hydrophobic surfaces in rolling contact. Typical hydrophobic materials are polyethylene, polypropylene, and rubber.

Abstract: A process for the consolidation of mineral slimes resulting from the beneficiation of ores comprising the steps of mixing the slimes with a microorganism species or a mixture thereof or ruptured or dried cells thereof, or a fermentation beer on which the organism was grown wherein the organism is selected from the group of cyanobacteria and allowing the mixture to separate into a clear upper layer and a consolidated slimes lower layer.

Abstract: Nonfibrous suspended solids, such as quartz, clays and phosphate slime solids, are removed from water by filtration through a bed of MgO.

Abstract: This invention relates to thiazine quaternary ammonium salts of polyepihalohydrin and the preparation and uses thereof. The compositions are ideally expressed by the polymer unit ##STR1## where Z is S, SO, or SO.sub.2, R is hydrogen or a hydrocarbon group,R' is a hydrocarbon groupand X is halogen.

Abstract: Aqueous dispersions of solids are readily flocculated with polymeric anionic flocculants containing comonomers of 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid and acrylamide. The polymeric flocculant should contain from about 1.0 to about 35.0 mole percent of repeating units derived from 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid and should have a Brookfield viscosity of at least 2.0 centipoises. In addition to their flocculating ability, employment of these copolymers achieves a high degree of compaction in the flocculated solids.

Abstract: The invention provides a homogeneous, micellar solution of a water-insoluble thin film spreading agent comprising: (a) from between about 5% and about 75% by weight of an acylated polyether polyol; (b) from between about 2% and about 30% by weight of a hydrotropic agent; (c) from between about 2% and about 30% by weight of an amphipathic agent; and (d) from between about 15% and about 90% by weight of water.

Abstract: A process for dewatering slimes produced in mining and mineral processing operations whereby wet oxidation at 150.degree.-320.degree. C. renders the solids rapidly settleable. Sufficient oxygen is supplied to meet or exceed oxygen demand. Inorganic solids in the oxidized product are separated and optionally further dewatered to a friable solid. Clarified water is recycled to the mining, mineral processing or other operations, or treated further, or discharged to the environment. Steam resulting from the wet oxidation is utilized in the mining or mineral processing operations.

Abstract: A method for the treatment of an aqueous effluent slime derived from a tar sand extraction process is disclosed. The effluent slime pH is adjusted to an acidic pH and treated with an anionic surface active agent to create flocculation of solid asphaltic material entrained within the slime. A solvent solution comprising chlorinated hydrocarbon and a solvent therefor is added so that upon centrifuging of the treated slime three physical layers of material comprising (1) water; (2) asphaltics in the solvent solution and (3) clay are formed.

Abstract: Efficient dewatering of slimes is achieved by admixing the slimes with a flocculating agent, followed by mechanical manipulation to effect rapid removal of water and consolidation of solids. The required mechanical manipulation may be accomplished, e.g., by tumbling the mixture through a rotating cylindrical screen or by passing it across a vibrating screen.

Abstract: A method for processing waste sludge from wet phosphoric acid purification facilities wherein steelworks slag is separately ground, the ground slag then is force-mixed and granulated together with the waste sludge.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of processing the waste sludge obtained in purification facilities for phosphoric acid produced by the wet process. The composition of this sludge is such that it cannot be utilized for any purpose in this state. It is known that sludge from wet phosphoric acid purification facilities contains different quantities of certain substances, the concentrations being such that these substances may not be allowed to mix with surface water or ground water under any circumstances, not even in the case of dumps. A typical composition of such waste sludge is as follows:______________________________________ Fe 9.0% by weight P.sub.2 O.sub.5 21.0% by weight CaO 6.2% by weight SiO.sub.2 12.5% by weight MgO 5.8% by weight Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 2.7% by weight Cr.sub.2 O.sub.3 0.7% by weight V.sub.2 O.sub.5 0.6% by weight Na.sub.2 O 18.0% by weight K.sub.2 O 0.3% by weight F 1.7% by weight C 2.5% by weight S 0.3% by weight Remainder* 18.7% by weight 100.

Abstract: Aqueous dispersions of solids are readily flocculated with polymeric anionic flocculants containing comonomers of 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid and acrylamide. The polymeric flocculant should contain from about 1.0 to about 35.0 mole percent of repeating units derived from 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid and should have a Brookfield viscosity of at least 2.0 centipoises. In addition to their flocculating ability, employment of these copolymers achieves a high degree of compaction in the flocculated solids.