The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for recovering mature fine tailings (MFT) from oil sands tailings ponds. Some examples include a hollow, fully enclosed around its perimeter, ideally of cylindrical form, open bottom structure (a hollow conduit), of predetermined geometry, which is placed at the pond surface. The hollow conduit can penetrate MFT deposits to or below a level at which MFT of required density is located. A width or diameter of the hollow conduit can be determined with respect to the MFT inflow velocity and the corresponding shear rate, so as to enable MFT flow into the hollow conduit at a rate matching a rate at which the MFT is removed from the pond (e.g., a recovery rate). An MFT fill level inside the hollow conduit can be kept constant and equal to a required fill level throughout MFT recovery operations. MFT can enter the hollow conduit during MFT recovery operations solely under action of hydraulic head pressure. MFT can be transferred from within the hollow conduit utilizing a mechanical device such as a pump or a siphon, for transfer to shore based facilities and further processing.

The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for recovering mature fine tailings (MFT) from oil sands tailings ponds. Some examples include a hollow, fully enclosed around its perimeter, ideally of cylindrical form, open bottom structure (a hollow conduit), of predetermined geometry, which is placed at the pond surface. The hollow conduit can penetrate MFT deposits to or below a level at which MFT of required density is located. A width or diameter of the hollow conduit can be determined with respect to the MFT inflow velocity and the corresponding shear rate, so as to enable MFT flow into the hollow conduit at a rate matching a rate at which the MFT is removed from the pond (e.g., a recovery rate). An MFT fill level inside the hollow conduit can be kept constant and equal to a required fill level throughout MFT recovery operations. MFT can enter the hollow conduit during MFT recovery operations solely under action of hydraulic head pressure. MFT can be transferred from within the hollow conduit utilizing a mechanical device such as a pump or a siphon, for transfer to shore based facilities and further processing.

An apparatus for refining a liquid stream using 180 degree redirection and inclined plates. The apparatus includes a first flow chamber, a second flow chamber, and a separation chamber. The first flow chamber directs the liquid stream downwards in a first direction at a first velocity, the second flow chamber directs the liquid carrier upwards in a second direction opposite the first direction, and the separation chamber is disposed between the first flow chamber and the second flow chamber. The separation chamber includes a redirection portion that has inclined plates across which the liquid carrier flows and, as the liquid slows from a first velocity to a second velocity, the solid particles fall out of the liquid carrier and collect in the collection portion of the separation chamber.

A method and an apparatus for receiving manure from a vacuum truck, as that manure is collected from alleys of a dairy barn, includes receiving the manure in a mixing basin. The received manure is diluted in the mixing basin with a jet of water discharging a sufficient volume of water to form a sand-laden manure flow having a velocity of over 3 feet per second and dilute the received manure into a sand-laden manure suspension of less than seven percent manure solids. The resulting sand laden manure suspension is conducted into a vestibule of a sand settling lane to slow the flow of the sand laden manure suspension to enter a sand settling lane at a velocity of less than 1.25 feet per second. Sand is collected in the sand settling lane.

A liquid cleaning and watering system for living plants rests on a surface covered by a non-porous material. A plate layer covering the non-porous layer has two or more layers, each layer having runners arranged in a grid. The grid of each successive layer is offset at an angle with respect to the grid of a previous layer. An upper layer covers the plate layer and has a plurality of holes for the passage of liquids into the liquid cleaning system. As the living plants are watered or cleaned, excess liquids containing water and oils that were excreted by the living plants enter the liquid cleaning system through the holes, the liquid traverses the grid layers, flowing towards a drain. Contaminants within the liquid collect within the grid of the layers of the plate layer for later disposal.

A liquid cleaning and watering system for living plants rests on a surface covered by a non-porous material. A plate layer covering the non-porous layer has two or more layers, each layer having runners arranged in a grid. The grid of each successive layer is offset at an angle with respect to the grid of a previous layer. An upper layer covers the plate layer and has a plurality of holes for the passage of liquids into the liquid cleaning system. As the living plants are watered or cleaned, excess liquids containing water and oils that were excreted by the living plants enter the liquid cleaning system through the holes, the liquid traverses the grid layers, flowing towards a drain. Contaminants within the liquid collect within the grid of the layers of the plate layer for later disposal.

A method for removing solids submerged in a polymer-based slurry. The present invention filters used polymer-based slurries, containing solids, to return the slurry to a condition that is favorable to the owner. The method utilizes a first collection tank, an agitator, a shaker with a plurality of screens, a desander, a desilter, a centrifuge that removes solids down to a size range of 5-7 microns, and a second collection tank. Each component can be used in tandem depending on the polymer-based slurry characteristics that are required by the owner. The preferred embodiment includes the following steps: obtaining used polymer-based slurry, pumping the slurry into a first collection tank where the slurry undergoes agitation, pumping the slurry through a plurality of screens, pumping the slurry into a desander and/or a desilter, passing the slurry through a screen, and pumping the slurry in centrifuge that removes solids down to a size range of 5-7 microns. After completion of the method, the owner can decide to repeat the steps to obtain a polymer-based slurry in accordance with their requirements.

A method for removing solids submerged in a polymer-based slurry. The present invention filters used polymer-based slurries, containing solids, to return the slurry to a condition that is favorable to the owner. The method utilizes a first collection tank, an agitator, a shaker with a plurality of screens, a desander, a desilter, a centrifuge that removes solids down to a size range of 5-7 microns, and a second collection tank. Each component can be used in tandem depending on the polymer-based slurry characteristics that are required by the owner. The preferred embodiment includes the following steps: obtaining used polymer-based slurry, pumping the slurry into a first collection tank where the slurry undergoes agitation, pumping the slurry through a plurality of screens, pumping the slurry into a desander and/or a desilter, passing the slurry through a screen, and pumping the slurry in centrifuge that removes solids down to a size range of 5-7 microns. After completion of the method, the owner can decide to repeat the steps to obtain a polymer-based slurry in accordance with their requirements.

The present invention is directed to a method and device to isolate compounds from plant material using vibrational pulsing, vibrational decanting, vibrational sieving and vibrational rinsing. A susceptible liquid is generated by vibrational agitation, decanted when in a vibrating container and then collected by passing over a series of vibrating screens and then rinsed with water while collected on the vibrating screens and the residue collected. The isolated compound can either be collected in the decant or retained on the screens. In an embodiment of the invention, the vibrational rinsing step reduces unwanted impurities isolated.

The present invention is directed to a method and device to isolate compounds from plant material using vibrational pulsing, vibrational decanting, vibrational sieving and vibrational rinsing. A susceptible liquid is generated by vibrational agitation, decanted when in a vibrating container and then collected by passing over a series of vibrating screens and then rinsed with water while collected on the vibrating screens and the residue collected. The isolated compound can either be collected in the decant or retained on the screens. In an embodiment of the invention, the vibrational rinsing step reduces unwanted impurities isolated.