The invention is directed to systems and methods of removing particulate matter from a fluid, comprising: pre-activating the particulate matter to form a pre-activated particulate matter; providing an activating material capable of being affixed to the pre-activated particulate matter; affixing the activating material to the pre-activated particulate matter to form an activated particle; providing an anchor particle and providing a tethering material capable of being affixed to the anchoring particle; and attaching the tethering material to the anchor particle and the activated particle to form a removable complex in the fluid that comprises the particulate matter, wherein the particulate matter is derived from a mining operation.

An apparatus for evaporating waste water and reducing gas emissions includes an evaporator device configured to receiving a portion of flue gas emitted from a boiler unit and waste water to directly contact the flue gas with the waste water to cool and humidify the flue gas and to dry solid particulates within the waste water. In some embodiments, the waste water may be a component of a mixture formed by a mixer device prior to being contacted with the flue gas to humidify and cool the flue gas and dry solids within the waste water. An alkaline reagent as well as activated carbon can be mixed with the waste water prior to the waste water contacting the flue gas. Solid particulates that are dried within the cooled and humidified flue gas can be separated from the flue gas via a particulate collector.

Disclosed herein are systems for removing particulate matter from a fluid, comprising a particle functionalized by attachment of at least one activating group or amine functional group, wherein the modified particle complexes with the particulate matter within the fluid to form a removable complex therein. The particulate matter has preferably been contacted, complexed or reacted with a tethering agent. The system is particularly advantageous to removing particulate matter from a tailing solution.

Disclosed herein are systems for removing particulate matter from a fluid, comprising a particle functionalized by attachment of at least one activating group or amine functional group, wherein the modified particle complexes with the particulate matter within the fluid to form a removable complex therein. The particulate matter has preferably been contacted, complexed or reacted with a tethering agent. The system is particularly advantageous to removing particulate matter from a tailing solution.

Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to a fluid treatment reactor. Separate input ports for influent and recycled effluent serve to eliminate the need for pH adjustment or carbonate stripping of the influent and recycled effluent flows. The fluid treatment reactor may include a media, a vessel including a top portion and a bottom portion, a solid discharge port, an effluent discharge port, an influent input in fluid communication with the media, and a recycled effluent port in fluid communication with the media.

Disclosed herein are systems for removing particulate matter from a fluid, comprising a particle functionalized by attachment of at least one activating group or amine functional group, wherein the modified particle complexes with the particulate matter within the fluid to form a removable complex therein. The particulate matter has preferably been contacted, complexed or reacted with a tethering agent. The system is particularly advantageous to removing particulate matter from a tailing solution.

A fluid treatment reactor is provided. Separate input ports for influent and recycled effluent serve to eliminate the need for pH adjustment or carbonate stripping of the influent and recycled effluent flows.

A sedimentation device for separating a material mix, preferably plastic flakes, including a sedimentation basin configured to receive the material mix and a liquid, for example water; an inlet configured to introduce the material mix and/or the liquid into the sedimentation basin; an outlet configured to remove sediment from the sedimentation basin; at least one stilling plate within the sedimentation basin configured as an ultrasonic oscillating element. The invention moreover relates to a method for removing sediment from a sedimentation device.

A method of treating wastewater includes removing BOD and ammonium from the wastewater. The wastewater is directed into a tank where it is mixed with mixed liquor or activated sludge from an activated sludge wastewater treatment system. The mixture of wastewater and mixed liquor or activated sludge forms a mixed liquor stream. The mixed liquor stream is directed to a ballasted flocculation system where suspended solids is removed from the wastewater. This produces a clarified effluent that is directed to a zeolite tank. Clarified wastewater from the ballasted flocculation system is directed into the zeolite tank and mixed with zeolite. Zeolite is effective to remove ammonium from the wastewater. Thus, the process as a whole is effective in removing suspended solids, soluble BOD as a result of mixing the mixed liquor or activated sludge with the wastewater, and ammonium.

Disclosed herein are systems for removing particulate matter from a fluid, comprising a particle functionalized by attachment of at least one activating group or amine functional group, wherein the modified particle complexes with the particulate matter within the fluid to form a removable complex therein. The particulate matter has preferably been contacted, complexed or reacted with a tethering agent. The system is particularly advantageous to removing particulate matter from a fluid waste stream following mining or ore processing operations.