Provided is a polymer flocculant which is capable of controlling the structure of a polymer that is a copolymerization product of a monomer (a) having a structure derived from formula (I) in each molecule and a water-soluble unsaturated monomer (b) having a polymerizable unsaturated bond in each molecule, and which has a branched or cross-linking structure, and is excellent in water-solubility and water dispersibility, ##STR00001## In formula (I), R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are respectively a linear or branched functional group configured of atoms selected from the group consisting of carbon not having a carbon-carbon unsaturated bond, oxygen, nitrogen, and hydrogen; W is a non-metal element of the group 15; X and Y are each a linear or branched functional group configured of atoms selected from the group consisting of carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, and hydrogen, and each have at least one carbon-carbon unsaturated bond, provided that X and Y have different structures; and Z is a chlorine ion, a bromine ion, or an iodine ion.

Provided is a polymer flocculant which is capable of controlling the structure of a polymer that is a copolymerization product of a monomer (a) having a structure derived from formula (I) in each molecule and a water-soluble unsaturated monomer (b) having a polymerizable unsaturated bond in each molecule, and which has a branched or cross-linking structure, and is excellent in water-solubility and water dispersibility, ##STR00001## In formula (I), R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are respectively a linear or branched functional group configured of atoms selected from the group consisting of carbon not having a carbon-carbon unsaturated bond, oxygen, nitrogen, and hydrogen; W is a non-metal element of the group 15; X and Y are each a linear or branched functional group configured of atoms selected from the group consisting of carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, and hydrogen, and each have at least one carbon-carbon unsaturated bond, provided that X and Y have different structures; and Z is a chlorine ion, a bromine ion, or an iodine ion.

Methods of modifying renewable protein sources and uses thereof are provided. In some embodiments, renewable protein sources can be modified to become a flocculant and/or coagulant through the use of a hydrolysis process. Further modifications can be performed in order to enhance the flocculant/coagulant ability of the modified protein material. Such modified protein material can be used to coagulate and/or flocculate waste water colloidal suspensions, either alone or in combination with a coagulant, by mixing the modified protein material with waste water colloidal suspensions to create a mixture and allowing mixture to settle. In some embodiments, the waste water colloidal suspension can be mature fine tailings (MFT).

Methods of modifying renewable protein sources and uses thereof are provided. In some embodiments, renewable protein sources can be modified to become a flocculant and/or coagulant through the use of a hydrolysis process. Further modifications can be performed in order to enhance the flocculant/coagulant ability of the modified protein material. Such modified protein material can be used to coagulate and/or flocculate waste water colloidal suspensions, either alone or in combination with a coagulant, by mixing the modified protein material with waste water colloidal suspensions to create a mixture and allowing mixture to settle. In some embodiments, the waste water colloidal suspension can be mature fine tailings (MFT).

A remote submerged chain conveyor system separates particles from a coal ash/water slurry from remotely located boiler units. A tank forms an ash holding section, a dewatering section, and an ash settling section. The ash holding section receives the slurry with first and second opposite ends. The dewatering section dewaters the slurry. The settling zone is an elongated trough connected with the ash holding section at one end with a discharge drain trough at near an opposite end. The tank sections are in a generally linear arrangement. A drag chain moves along the ash settling conveying the particles settling from the slurry to the dewatering section opposite to a net flow of water. A flocculant supply line upstream of the ash settling section configured for adding a flocculant promoting an agglomeration of particles into flocs. The flocculant supply line is located in a mixing section with an agitator.

A remote submerged chain conveyor system separates particles from a coal ash/water slurry from remotely located boiler units. A tank forms an ash holding section, a dewatering section, and an ash settling section. The ash holding section receives the slurry with first and second opposite ends. The dewatering section dewaters the slurry. The settling zone is an elongated trough connected with the ash holding section at one end with a discharge drain trough at near an opposite end. The tank sections are in a generally linear arrangement. A drag chain moves along the ash settling conveying the particles settling from the slurry to the dewatering section opposite to a net flow of water. A flocculant supply line upstream of the ash settling section configured for adding a flocculant promoting an agglomeration of particles into flocs. The flocculant supply line is located in a mixing section with an agitator.

The present invention generally relates to a novel process in which thin stillage is processed to produce algae oil and protein rich biomass as well as other energy rich byproducts. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, thin stillage is removed from an evaporator during the evaporation process to produce mid-stillage. This mid-stillage is preferably routed to a new process where it is directed to a pre-treatment centrifuge to remove suspended solids, sludge and corn oil. Thereafter, the mid-stillage is preferably cooled and then directed to a fermentation tank where the mid-stillage is subject to a batch fermentation process with algae “seed” fed from an algae inoculation system. Once the batch is harvested, the oil-rich algae/mid-stillage is then preferably heated to rupture the cells and liberate the oil. Thereafter, the oil-rich algae/mid-stillage is preferably processed by a centrifuge which produces solids, a light phase oil and a “clean” mid-stillage stream that can be evaporated to a very high level of solids.

Disclosed is a water-insoluble polymeric iron chelating agent having a polymer backbone and an aromatic ring attached to the polymer backbone through an —NH—CH.sub.2— bond, wherein the aromatic ring has one or two first functional groups in the form of hydroxyl group and one or two second functional groups located at the ortho position with respect to the first functional group; and wherein the second functional group is —OH, —COOH, or a group represented by formula (I) wherein A represents —CH.sub.3, —CH.sub.2—CH.sub.3, —CH.sub.2—C.sub.6H.sub.5, —CH.sub.2—C.sub.5H.sub.4N or —CH.sub.2—COOH and B represents —CH.sub.2—COOH. The water-insoluble polymeric iron chelating agent of the present invention offers the advantages of being capable of selectively chelating iron ions, particularly biologically unstable iron, and being insoluble in water, and moreover not being incorporated in metabolic processes in vivo.

A thickener for dewatering fluids having a vessel with a central well extending proximate a top portion of the vessel to a lower cone-shaped portion, a hindered settling zone, and a compressible sediment layer zone within the lower cone-shaped portion. Eductors housed in inlet wells have an inlet nozzle and a mixing tube to receive slurry to be treated and clear fluid to be mixed with the slurry. The fluid from the eductors is directed in counter circular paths via circular chambers situated proximate the inlet wells, such that fluid flowing in each direction collides and forms turbulence within the central well. Resultant fluid is directed into a lamella-type separator circumferentially located about a portion of the central well, having layered fluid paths directed radially outwards from said center longitudinal axis and upwards towards said vessel top portion through a conical, inclined fluid path, plate structure. The eductors are adjustable with a movable iris for limiting the amount of clear fluid exiting the eductor.

A thickener for dewatering fluids having a vessel with a central well extending proximate a top portion of the vessel to a lower cone-shaped portion, a hindered settling zone, and a compressible sediment layer zone within the lower cone-shaped portion. Eductors housed in inlet wells have an inlet nozzle and a mixing tube to receive slurry to be treated and clear fluid to be mixed with the slurry. The fluid from the eductors is directed in counter circular paths via circular chambers situated proximate the inlet wells, such that fluid flowing in each direction collides and forms turbulence within the central well. Resultant fluid is directed into a lamella-type separator circumferentially located about a portion of the central well, having layered fluid paths directed radially outwards from said center longitudinal axis and upwards towards said vessel top portion through a conical, inclined fluid path, plate structure. The eductors are adjustable with a movable iris for limiting the amount of clear fluid exiting the eductor.