Lysine-based polymers, particularly copolymers of lysine and maleic acid, are useful as coagulants for clarification of wastewaters, including produced waters from oils sands mining operations. They can be advantageously used in combination with commercial coagulants, and in combination with flocculants. Such combinations may include dry blends. Also described are methods of preparation of lysine homopolymers and copolymers.

Methods and compositions for improving performance of flocculants in an industrial production process. Methods include pH triggered cross-linking reaction between a flocculating agent, such as dextran, and a composition comprising a boronic acid-containing polymer. The pH trigger can be provided by a fluid having a pH of 8 or more. The production process can be a Bayer Process and the fluid is caustic liquor or slurry in the fluid circuit of the Bayer, wherein the reaction time is reduced over conventional methods and the cross-linked dextran composition effectuates improved flocculation of the trihydrate particles.

Methods and compositions for improving performance of flocculants in an industrial production process. Methods include pH triggered cross-linking reaction between a flocculating agent, such as dextran, and a composition comprising a boronic acid-containing polymer. The pH trigger can be provided by a fluid having a pH of 8 or more. The production process can be a Bayer Process and the fluid is caustic liquor or slurry in the fluid circuit of the Bayer, wherein the reaction time is reduced over conventional methods and the cross-linked dextran composition effectuates improved flocculation of the trihydrate particles.

A system comprising an agitation and flocculation system and a particulate filter capture system, and optionally a feedback system and/or a water softening. The agitation and flocculation system configured to receive a contaminated aqueous stream and an anhydrite quantity, and comprising means for agitating the aqueous stream and a means for mixing the aqueous stream with the anhydrite, such that a precipitate of calcium sulfate hydrate+contaminant complexes is formed. Also, a system comprising a fixed-bed type cross-flow system and a particulate filter capture system, and a corresponding method of removing per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances from the contaminated aqueous stream. The method comprising the acts of: providing an anhydrite quantity; contacting and agitating the anhydrite quantity with a contaminated aqueous stream; and collecting the precipitate of calcium sulfate hydrate+contaminant complexes formed from the aqueous stream.

A mineral recovery system for use in a mining operation is described. The mineral recovery system includes a mining operations model generated based on inputs of sensed conditions, wherein the mining operations model incorporates a thickener sub-model and a material sub-model. The mineral recovery system includes a thickener controller to issue commands based on the mining operations model. The mineral recovery system includes a thickener having a process water. The thickener also includes an underflow output provided with an underflow controller to adjust outflow of thickened slurry from the thickener based on issued commands. The thickener further includes an overflow output to dispense clarified water from the thickener.

A mineral recovery system for use in a mining operation is described. The mineral recovery system includes a mining operations model generated based on inputs of sensed conditions, wherein the mining operations model incorporates a thickener sub-model and a material sub-model. The mineral recovery system includes a thickener controller to issue commands based on the mining operations model. The mineral recovery system includes a thickener having a process water. The thickener also includes an underflow output provided with an underflow controller to adjust outflow of thickened slurry from the thickener based on issued commands. The thickener further includes an overflow output to dispense clarified water from the thickener.

The invention provides a method, apparatus and system for separating blood and other types of cellular components, and can be combined with holographic optical trapping manipulation or other forms of optical tweezing. One of the exemplary methods includes providing a first flow having a plurality of blood components; providing a second flow; contacting the first flow with the second flow to provide a first separation region; and differentially sedimenting a first blood cellular component of the plurality of blood components into the second flow while concurrently maintaining a second blood cellular component of the plurality of blood components in the first flow. The second flow having the first blood cellular component is then differentially removed from the first flow having the second blood cellular component. Holographic optical traps may also be utilized in conjunction with the various flows to move selected components from one flow to another, as part of or in addition to a separation stage.

The invention provides a method, apparatus and system for separating blood and other types of cellular components, and can be combined with holographic optical trapping manipulation or other forms of optical tweezing. One of the exemplary methods includes providing a first flow having a plurality of blood components; providing a second flow; contacting the first flow with the second flow to provide a first separation region; and differentially sedimenting a first blood cellular component of the plurality of blood components into the second flow while concurrently maintaining a second blood cellular component of the plurality of blood components in the first flow. The second flow having the first blood cellular component is then differentially removed from the first flow having the second blood cellular component. Holographic optical traps may also be utilized in conjunction with the various flows to move selected components from one flow to another, as part of or in addition to a separation stage.

A hermetically sealed horizontal washing decanter centrifuge for enhanced drilling fluid recovery and drilled solids washing. A process and apparatus for liquid phase-solid phase separation of oil based drilling mud-containing drill cuttings is described including flowing the drilling mud-containing drill cuttings into a horizontal washing decanter wherein the stresses imposed within the decanter act as a wash as the diluent and oil based drilling mud move away from the drill cuttings. Diluent is added prior to flowing the drilling mud containing drill cutting to the hermetically sealed horizontal washing decanter centrifuge. The entire process is performed in a gas-tight environment preventing escape of diluent from the process into the external atmosphere and preventing introduction of gases into the process from the external atmosphere.

A hermetically sealed horizontal washing decanter centrifuge for enhanced drilling fluid recovery and drilled solids washing. A process and apparatus for liquid phase-solid phase separation of oil based drilling mud-containing drill cuttings is described including flowing the drilling mud-containing drill cuttings into a horizontal washing decanter wherein the stresses imposed within the decanter act as a wash as the diluent and oil based drilling mud move away from the drill cuttings. Diluent is added prior to flowing the drilling mud containing drill cutting to the hermetically sealed horizontal washing decanter centrifuge. The entire process is performed in a gas-tight environment preventing escape of diluent from the process into the external atmosphere and preventing introduction of gases into the process from the external atmosphere.