An adaptive electrokinetic dewatering system for dewatering slurry and soil deposits, including tailings deposits and a control system therefor. The control system automatically determines an optimal applied power specification, including sets of power parameters to be applied to the deposit being dewatered and when to apply each set of power parameters during the electrokinetic dewatering process. Furthermore, the control system automatically adjusts the applied power specification throughout the course of the dewatering process to account for the changing properties of the deposit. The control system determines the applied power specifications and adjustments to be made to them by simulating the electrokinetic dewatering process using a simulator which incorporates the latest measurements of the electrical, physical and chemical properties of the deposit being dewatered. The control system uses the simulator to forecast the dewatering performances of alternative applied power specifications and selects and applies the alternative applied power specification having a forecast dewatering performance that satisfies one or more switching criteria set by an operator.

An adaptive electrokinetic dewatering system for dewatering slurry and soil deposits, including tailings deposits and a control system therefor. The control system automatically determines an optimal applied power specification, including sets of power parameters to be applied to the deposit being dewatered and when to apply each set of power parameters during the electrokinetic dewatering process. Furthermore, the control system automatically adjusts the applied power specification throughout the course of the dewatering process to account for the changing properties of the deposit. The control system determines the applied power specifications and adjustments to be made to them by simulating the electrokinetic dewatering process using a simulator which incorporates the latest measurements of the electrical, physical and chemical properties of the deposit being dewatered. The control system uses the simulator to forecast the dewatering performances of alternative applied power specifications and selects and applies the alternative applied power specification having a forecast dewatering performance that satisfies one or more switching criteria set by an operator.

The present invention is related to a high aspect ratio column thickener and a process thereof useful for dewatering of iron ore tailings. The column thickener has been developed with multiple feed inlet points and an auxiliary inlet point for water to clear the jam of high concentration slurry, if required. The column also consists of a conical portion at the bottom. Magnetic field has been applied using induced magnetic coil just above the conical portion of column thickener. Iron ore tailings slurry is fed into the column thickener and particles are allowed to settle in axial direction with and without the application of magnetic field.

There are provided processes for treating a residual. For example, such processes can comprise treating a mixture comprising the residual, a peracid or source thereof and an ammonium salt in a reactor, with an electric field, by means of at least one anode and at least one cathode that define therebetween an electrokinetic zone for treating the mixture. Such processes allow for inactivation of at least one type of pathogen in the residual so as to obtain a treated residual.

Various methods and systems are provided for electrokinetic dewatering of suspensions such as, e.g., phosphatic clay. In one example, among others, a system for continuous dewatering includes a cake formation zone including a first anode and a first cathode each extending across a first portion of a separation chamber; a cake dewatering zone including a second anode and a second cathode; an inlet configured to supply a dilute feed suspension comprising solids suspended in water to the cake formation zone; and a conveying belt extending between the first anode and the first cathode and between the second anode and the second cathode. A first electric field between the first anode and the first cathode forms a cake on the conveying belt by consolidating the solids, and a second electric field between the second anode and the second cathode dewaters the cake on the conveying belt.

A method comprises: removing most suspending solid pollutants after a primary treatment for the sewage which is then placed into a secondary biochemical treatment section; mixing the magnetic sludge carbon carrier and a solvent to prepare a mixed solution which is then placed into the secondary biochemical treatment section synchronously with the sewage; uniformly mixing the sewage, the magnetic sludge carbon carrier and the activated sludge in a biochemical treatment construction; performing a dreg-water separation in a sedimentation tank on the mixed solution flowing out of the secondary biochemical treatment section; and recycling magnetic particles with the magnetic separation apparatus. The sewage treatment process with a magnetic sludge carbon carrier cooperated with standard upgrading and capacity improvement, which not only addresses sludge removal in sewage treatment plants, but also is cooperated with standard upgrading and capacity improvement, has advantages of saving investment cost, good sewage treatment effect, environmental friendliness etc.

A method comprises: removing most suspending solid pollutants after a primary treatment for the sewage which is then placed into a secondary biochemical treatment section; mixing the magnetic sludge carbon carrier and a solvent to prepare a mixed solution which is then placed into the secondary biochemical treatment section synchronously with the sewage; uniformly mixing the sewage, the magnetic sludge carbon carrier and the activated sludge in a biochemical treatment construction; performing a dreg-water separation in a sedimentation tank on the mixed solution flowing out of the secondary biochemical treatment section; and recycling magnetic particles with the magnetic separation apparatus. The sewage treatment process with a magnetic sludge carbon carrier cooperated with standard upgrading and capacity improvement, which not only addresses sludge removal in sewage treatment plants, but also is cooperated with standard upgrading and capacity improvement, has advantages of saving investment cost, good sewage treatment effect, environmental friendliness etc.

Various examples related to electrokinetic dewatering (EKD) of suspensions such as, e.g., phosphatic clay suspensions are provided. In one example, a system for continuous EKD includes cake dewatering unit having a lower conveying belt extending across a dewatering chamber; an upper conveying belt extending across at least a portion of the dewatering chamber; and a sludge inlet configured to supply a sludge suspension on the first end of the lower conveying belt. The conveying belts can extend across the dewatering chamber at an angle. Rotation of the conveying belts draws the sludge suspension through an electric field where the sludge suspension is dewatered. The electric field can be established between an upper anode and a lower cathode. The upper and lower conveying belts can include the anode and cathode. A suspension thickening unit can provide a thickened sludge suspension the cake dewatering unit for enhanced dewatering.

A method of treating a mixture of microorganisms containing phosphorus and magnesium, by first inducing the mixture microorganisms to release phosphorus and magnesium. Next an emancipation or elutriation is performed. Phosphorus and magnesium-rich liquid is then tapped off as the mixture is thickened, to produce phosphorus and magnesium-rich liquid and phosphorus and magnesium-reduced treated mixture. This treated mixture is placed in an anaerobic digester where ammonia is formed but combines very little with phosphorus or magnesium as these elements have been reduced in concentration. Then the high-ammonia mixture is dewatered, to produce an ammonia-rich liquid, which is combined with the phosphorus and magnesium-rich liquid. In one preferred example a useable struvite product is harvested from this combination. Additionally, the production of nuisance struvite in the anaerobic digester is reduced, in comparison with prior art waste treatment methods.

A method of desalinating water through application of acoustic pressure shock waves to a slush to separate ice crystals from brine and recovering desalinated water from the separated ice crystals.