Devices facilitating recovery of polymers are disclosed. A crushing device (25) includes a housing (13) into which a paper diaper (D) containing polymers (P) in a water-absorbed state is thrown, and a crushing member (28) that is accommodated in the housing (13) and crushes the paper diaper (D). A moving speed of the crushing member (28) is 0.1 m/s or less.

The Invention discloses an ecological remediation method for controlling sulphur pollution in black and odorous sludge of rivers. Firstly, the sludge from pollution layer of the rivers will be dredged and stacked on the banksides with slope protection built along the outer edge of the sludge storage site; then innocent pretreatment will be conducted for the sludge. Specific steps comprise solarization and ploughing, and mixed ameliorant of certain proportion will be added for modification between first solarization and intermittent ploughing. Then, large emergent aquatic plants will be planted on the stacked sludge after pretreatment. The technical method provided by the Invention may control the release of acid-volatile sulfide in the contaminated sludge on one hand and reduce concentration of volatile organic sulfide in the waters on the other hand. With simple technical process and strong operable technology, the Invention meets the current requirements for controlling sulphur pollution in black and odorous sludge of rivers in China and facilitates realizing the goal of long-term control of sulphur pollution in the deposit of the waters.

Methods are provided for treating intimately dispersed mixtures of water, bitumen, and fine clay particles, such as oil sands mature fine tailings (MFT). Select methods use dissolved silicate ions and a base (alkali), optionally in combination with a biopolymer, to flocculate a slurry. A mixing regime is disclosed involving the addition to MFT of silicate ions in solution and alkali, to initiate aggregation/destabilization of clay particles. Methods are exemplified that provide distinct sediment layers in conjunction with the release of residual bitumen (for example 40-50% of the initial bitumen content). In these exemplified embodiments, a densely packed bottom layer containing ˜75 wt. % solids showed high yield stress values (3.5-5.5 kPa) and entrapped little residual bitumen (0.2-0.3 wt. %). The methods accordingly segregate a material suitable for reclamation.

Disclosed is a method for recovering phosphorus from sludge rich in chemical phosphorus precipitates using a high-protein biomass waste, comprising introducing the sludge rich in chemical phosphorus precipitates into an anaerobic fermenter, adding a certain amount of a high-protein biomass by-product, sealing the fermenter and fermenting for 4-7 days. The method can effectively increase the phosphorus release efficiency from the sludge, and also generate volatile short-chain fatty acids and ammonia nitrogen in high concentrations. After dewatering, phosphorus and part of ammonia nitrogen can be recovered in a form of high-purity struvite crystals only by addition of a magnesium salt and adjustment of pH to 7.5-9.0. The volatile short-chain fatty acids can be used as an economical carbon source. The method allows simultaneous utilization of two solid wastes to recover carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus resources, and can reduce the usage of chemical reagents, saving the treatment cost.

Disclosed is a method for recovering phosphorus from sludge rich in chemical phosphorus precipitates using a high-protein biomass waste, comprising introducing the sludge rich in chemical phosphorus precipitates into an anaerobic fermenter, adding a certain amount of a high-protein biomass by-product, sealing the fermenter and fermenting for 4-7 days. The method can effectively increase the phosphorus release efficiency from the sludge, and also generate volatile short-chain fatty acids and ammonia nitrogen in high concentrations. After dewatering, phosphorus and part of ammonia nitrogen can be recovered in a form of high-purity struvite crystals only by addition of a magnesium salt and adjustment of pH to 7.5-9.0. The volatile short-chain fatty acids can be used as an economical carbon source. The method allows simultaneous utilization of two solid wastes to recover carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus resources, and can reduce the usage of chemical reagents, saving the treatment cost.

Provided is a filtration system and process that enhances mineral removal from sludge through a novel recirculation and mixing apparatus. In one example, the system may include a filter configured to remove minerals from sludge, a pump configured to move the sludge towards the filter, a pre-filtering system configured to add an agent into the sludge prior to the sludge making contact with the filter, a drainage collection system including one ore more reservoirs configured to collect water drained during and/or after the filtering and feedback the drained water to the pump, and valving configured configured to mix the drained water with the sludge to generate a mixture which is moved by the pump towards the filter.

Provided is a filtration system and process that enhances mineral removal from sludge through a novel recirculation and mixing apparatus. In one example, the system may include a filter configured to remove minerals from sludge, a pump configured to move the sludge towards the filter, a pre-filtering system configured to add an agent into the sludge prior to the sludge making contact with the filter, a drainage collection system including one ore more reservoirs configured to collect water drained during and/or after the filtering and feedback the drained water to the pump, and valving configured configured to mix the drained water with the sludge to generate a mixture which is moved by the pump towards the filter.

Methods and systems for treating oil sands tailings streams at an elevated pH using lime are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the method comprises providing a tailings stream including 10-55% solids by total weight, increasing the pH of the tailings stream by combining the tailings stream with lime to produce a lime-tailings mixture having a pH of at least 11.0, and dewatering the lime-tailings mixture to produce a first stream having 10% or less solids by total weight and a second stream having 50% or more solids by total weight. The first stream can correspond to a release water stream, and the second stream can correspond to a cake. The lime slurry can include about 10% lime by total weight, and can comprise lime hydrate, quicklime, or a combination thereof. Dewatering the lime-tailings mixture can include routing the lime-tailings mixture to a centrifuge unit and/or a pressure or vacuum filtration unit.

Methods and systems for treating oil sands tailings streams at an elevated pH using lime are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the method comprises providing a tailings stream including 10-55% solids by total weight, increasing the pH of the tailings stream by combining the tailings stream with lime to produce a lime-tailings mixture having a pH of at least 11.0, and dewatering the lime-tailings mixture to produce a first stream having 10% or less solids by total weight and a second stream having 50% or more solids by total weight. The first stream can correspond to a release water stream, and the second stream can correspond to a cake. The lime slurry can include about 10% lime by total weight, and can comprise lime hydrate, quicklime, or a combination thereof. Dewatering the lime-tailings mixture can include routing the lime-tailings mixture to a centrifuge unit and/or a pressure or vacuum filtration unit.

Systems and methods for intensive recirculating aquaculture are provided herein. An example system includes water sourced from a first segment of a saline aquifer, a recirculating aquaculture system receiving the sourced water and producing discharge water, and a water discharge point located within a second segment of the saline aquifer disposed below the first segment of the saline aquifer.