The present invention relates to a method for the treatment of a suspension of solid particles in water using water-soluble (co)polymers made from the hydrated crystalline form of 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid or of at least one of the salts thereof. This method is particularly useful for treating residues resulting from the mining industry.

The present invention relates to a method for the treatment of a suspension of solid particles in water using water-soluble (co)polymers made from the hydrated crystalline form of 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid or of at least one of the salts thereof. This method is particularly useful for treating residues resulting from the mining industry.

The invention relates to the treatment of mine tailings in the form aqueous effluents comprising solid particles. With the process of the invention it is possible to separate all or part of the water from an aqueous effluent comprising solid particles. This process comprises (a) adding to the effluent at least one anionic modified natural polymer selected from among anionic guar gums and/or anionic starches, then (b) adding at least one cationic modified natural polymer selected from among cationic starches and/or cationic dextrans and/or cationic chitosans. The invention also relates to a composition comprising an aqueous effluent comprising solid particles treated with an anionic modified natural polymer and a cationic modified natural polymer. Preferably, it concerns a composition comprising an aqueous effluent comprising solid particles, at least one anionic modified natural polymer selected from among anionic guar gums and/or anionic starches, and at least one cationic modified natural polymer selected from among cationic starches and/or cationic dextrans and/or cationic chitosans.

There is described a system and a process for optimizing and controlling upstream fluid treatment processes using information on fluid characteristics obtained from response variables of a separation device (such as the belt speed or water level of an RBF). This system and process allow for the upstream or downstream treatment processes to be adjusted and optimized against the instantaneous operating conditions of the separation device such that both the pre-treatment and post-treatment processes and the separation system always run at an optimal efficiency. Additionally, since the information obtained from the response variables of the separation device truly reflect the fluid characteristics at the point where the separation system is installed, the same can be used to control a downstream process (for example, the amount of oxygen required in the biological oxidation stage or the sludge retention time in an side stream sludge treatment process such as fermentation or anaerobic digestion).

There is described a system and a process for optimizing and controlling upstream fluid treatment processes using information on fluid characteristics obtained from response variables of a separation device (such as the belt speed or water level of an RBF). This system and process allow for the upstream or downstream treatment processes to be adjusted and optimized against the instantaneous operating conditions of the separation device such that both the pre-treatment and post-treatment processes and the separation system always run at an optimal efficiency. Additionally, since the information obtained from the response variables of the separation device truly reflect the fluid characteristics at the point where the separation system is installed, the same can be used to control a downstream process (for example, the amount of oxygen required in the biological oxidation stage or the sludge retention time in an side stream sludge treatment process such as fermentation or anaerobic digestion).

Methods for flocculating solid particles in a provided suspension including specifying a target charge density of the suspension at which the solid particles flocculate; providing a flocculant having a charge density; determining, at a plurality of measuring times, the suspension charge density present in the suspension in the course of a titrimetric analysis, measuring the flow potential; determining, at respective of the measuring times, a quantity of the flocculant needing to be added to ensure optimal flocculation based on the target charge density, the flocculant charge density, and the suspension charge density present at the respective measuring time; and subsequently adding the determined quantity of flocculant into the suspension; and systems therefor. The methods and systems can provide the actual demand of flocculant needed for efficient flocculation in a continuous flocculation method of a suspension.

Methods for flocculating solid particles in a provided suspension including specifying a target charge density of the suspension at which the solid particles flocculate; providing a flocculant having a charge density; determining, at a plurality of measuring times, the suspension charge density present in the suspension in the course of a titrimetric analysis, measuring the flow potential; determining, at respective of the measuring times, a quantity of the flocculant needing to be added to ensure optimal flocculation based on the target charge density, the flocculant charge density, and the suspension charge density present at the respective measuring time; and subsequently adding the determined quantity of flocculant into the suspension; and systems therefor. The methods and systems can provide the actual demand of flocculant needed for efficient flocculation in a continuous flocculation method of a suspension.

An object is to realize composting using earthworms of excrement stored under a nonflushing environment such as a temporary toilet. The present invention provides a method for producing vermicompost, including a step of treating excrement with an excrement treatment agent to provide treated excrement, and a step of subjecting the treated excrement to composting in soil containing earthworms.

An object is to realize composting using earthworms of excrement stored under a nonflushing environment such as a temporary toilet. The present invention provides a method for producing vermicompost, including a step of treating excrement with an excrement treatment agent to provide treated excrement, and a step of subjecting the treated excrement to composting in soil containing earthworms.

A method for treating wastewater or sludge includes treating a sludge having a first viscosity of from about 3,000 cP to about 15,000 cP by shearing the sludge to obtain a treated sludge having a second viscosity of less than 3,000 cP, where the second viscosity persists for a period of time. The sludge may be thickened by dewatering. A chemical agent may be added to the thickened sludge during, before, or after shearing. The treated sludge may further be pumped, transported, or otherwise handled.