There is disclosed a multivalent cation containing copolymer derived from one or more ethylenically unsaturated acids. The copolymer has the following characteristics: (a) an intrinsic viscosity of at least about 3 dl/g when measured in 1 M Na Cl solution at 25° C.; (b) the copolymer is derived from a monomer mixture comprising an ethylenically unsaturated acid and at least one comonomer, the ethylenically unsaturated acid present in an amount in the range of from about % to about 65% by weight; and (c) a residual comonomer content is less than 1000 ppm when the comonomer is an acrylamide. The copolymer, inter alia, is useful as a flocculant for treating an aqueous slurry comprising particulate material, preferably tailings from a mining operation.

A process for the treatment of thick fine tailings that include constituents of concern (CoCs) and suspended solids is provided. The process includes subjecting the thick fine tailings to treatments including chemical immobilization of the CoCs, polymer flocculation of the suspended solids, and dewatering. The chemical immobilization can include the addition of compounds enabling the insolubilization of the CoCs. Subjecting the thick fine tailings to chemical immobilization and polymer flocculation can facilitate production of a reclamation-ready material, which can enable disposing of the material as part of a permanent aquatic storage structure (PASS).

The invention relates to a method for separating solids and liquids in suspensions, in particular sewage sludge (K), said method working by adding flocculants (F1) and/or flocculating agents. The suspension, in particular the sewage sludge (K), is observed by means of a sensor (S1). In a first method step, flocculants (F1) and/or flocculating agents are added to a first mixing stage (M1) until the sensor (S1) detects the formation of first flocs. The addition of the flocculant (F1) and/or the flocculating agent is then interrupted so that the suspension, in particular the sewage sludge (K), has a defined, specifically a first, floc-comprising state at that moment. The suspension, in particular the sewage sludge (K), is now fed to a further mixing stage (M2, MM). In this further mixing stage (M2, MM), the same (F1) or another (F2, F3) flocculant or flocculating agent is added in a quantity which is predefined and which, starting from the defined state of the suspension, in particular the sewage sludge (K), causes a desired amount of flocs in the suspension, in particular the sewage sludge (K). The resulting mixture is then fed directly or indirectly to a solid/liquid separation system.

The invention relates to a method for separating solids and liquids in suspensions, in particular sewage sludge (K), said method working by adding flocculants (F1) and/or flocculating agents. The suspension, in particular the sewage sludge (K), is observed by means of a sensor (S1). In a first method step, flocculants (F1) and/or flocculating agents are added to a first mixing stage (M1) until the sensor (S1) detects the formation of first flocs. The addition of the flocculant (F1) and/or the flocculating agent is then interrupted so that the suspension, in particular the sewage sludge (K), has a defined, specifically a first, floc-comprising state at that moment. The suspension, in particular the sewage sludge (K), is now fed to a further mixing stage (M2, MM). In this further mixing stage (M2, MM), the same (F1) or another (F2, F3) flocculant or flocculating agent is added in a quantity which is predefined and which, starting from the defined state of the suspension, in particular the sewage sludge (K), causes a desired amount of flocs in the suspension, in particular the sewage sludge (K). The resulting mixture is then fed directly or indirectly to a solid/liquid separation system.

Systems and methods for dewatering slurries having relatively high solids content such as earthen slurries are disclosed. In some embodiments, one or more transducer devices configured for acoustic spectroscopy and/or electroacoustic spectroscopy are used to determine a parameter related to the particle size distribution (e.g., specific surfaced area) and/or zeta potential of the slurry.

Systems and methods for dewatering slurries having relatively high solids content such as earthen slurries are disclosed. In some embodiments, one or more transducer devices configured for acoustic spectroscopy and/or electroacoustic spectroscopy are used to determine a parameter related to the particle size distribution (e.g., specific surfaced area) and/or zeta potential of the slurry.

The invention relates to a method and a device for continuously or semi-continuously treating/dehydrating organic sludge (1, 41, 69}, wherein a three-phase emulsion of air, solid matter and water is produced by injecting air (6, 47, 68) into the sludge, introducing a flocculant (13, 50, F) into said emulsion in order to create a floc (14, 51) and then degassing said floc at atmospheric pressure. The floc is degassed by soft impact of the floc on itself or on an energy absorbing shutter (39, C), braking the floc, and the floc matured in this way is recovered in a filtration and/or decanting device (56, 74).

Provided is a sludge dehydration agent which enables the formation of stiff and coarse flocs even when added in a relatively small amount, has excellent gravity filtration properties, enables the production of a dehydrated cake having a low water content, and also enables an efficient dehydration treatment. A sludge dehydration agent comprising a polymer having a constituent unit derived from a cationic monomer, wherein the colloid equivalent value decrease rate of the polymer, which is calculated from mathematical formula 1, is 10% or more. (In mathematical formula 1, the colloid equivalent value (I) is a colloid equivalent value at pH 4 which is measured in deionized water by a colloid titration method, and the colloid equivalent value (II) is a colloid equivalent value at pH 4 which is measured in salt water having a concentration of 0.01 mol/L by a colloid titration method.)

Provided is a sludge dehydration agent which enables the formation of stiff and coarse flocs even when added in a relatively small amount, has excellent gravity filtration properties, enables the production of a dehydrated cake having a low water content, and also enables an efficient dehydration treatment. A sludge dehydration agent comprising a polymer having a constituent unit derived from a cationic monomer, wherein the colloid equivalent value decrease rate of the polymer, which is calculated from mathematical formula 1, is 10% or more. (In mathematical formula 1, the colloid equivalent value (I) is a colloid equivalent value at pH 4 which is measured in deionized water by a colloid titration method, and the colloid equivalent value (II) is a colloid equivalent value at pH 4 which is measured in salt water having a concentration of 0.01 mol/L by a colloid titration method.)

A composition for solid pellets and a process for removing water from particulate material slurries produced by horizontal drilling, vertical drilling and dredging of bodies of water are disclosed. The composition comprises a precipitating agent, a purification agent and, optionally, a binding agent. The process comprises the steps of 1) water removal accomplished by diffusing a chemical reagent into the particulate material source stream that results in separating out a clean water fraction and 2) reacting the sludge with a demulsifier and a superabsorbent polymer that locks onto the water in the remaining slurry thus turning the slurry into a solid crust. The crust is ground into a particulate form and disposed in a landfill. The combined effect of the treatments is the thickening of the particulate material slurry from about 10% solids to about 25% solids. The removed water may be used for further drilling and drinking.