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 are methods of dewatering solid byproduct. In some embodiments, the solid byproduct contains particles and is produced from a fermentation process for making an oxygenated compound such as ethanol. The method comprises a chemical sequence for conditioning (pre-treating) the solid byproduct to be dewatered. The solid byproduct (in water) is treated with alkaline material to increase its pH to about 7-8.5. Coagulant is added to the alkaline-treated solid byproduct to reduce charge on the solid byproduct. An agglomerating polymer is then added to increase the average size of the solid byproduct particles to a desired size (e.g., at least about 1 mm). Dewatering can further use known technologies such as screw press, belt press, filter press, centrifuge, and/or a dryer to separate the conditioned or pre-treated byproduct from water. Also disclosed are methods of producing oxygenated product, as well as methods of producing animal feed and/or fertilizer, respectively.

A process for the treatment of thick fine tailings that include constituents of concern (CoCs) and suspended solids is provided. The process includes subjecting the thick fine tailings to treatments including chemical immobilization of the CoCs, polymer flocculation of the suspended solids, and dewatering. The chemical immobilization can include the addition of compounds enabling the insolubilization of the CoCs. Subjecting the thick fine tailings to chemical immobilization and polymer flocculation can facilitate production of a reclamation-ready material, which can enable disposing of the material as part of a permanent aquatic storage structure (PASS).

A process for the treatment of thick fine tailings that include constituents of concern (CoCs) and suspended solids is provided. The process includes subjecting the thick fine tailings to treatments including chemical immobilization of the CoCs, polymer flocculation of the suspended solids, and dewatering. The chemical immobilization can include the addition of compounds enabling the insolubilization of the CoCs. Subjecting the thick fine tailings to chemical immobilization and polymer flocculation can facilitate production of a reclamation-ready material, which can enable disposing of the material as part of a permanent aquatic storage structure (PASS).

Methods to improve dewatering in industrial and municipal sludges are described. One method involves admixing sludge from a papermaking process and modified cellulose to provide modified sludge with the modified cellulose present in an effective amount to improve dewatering in the treated sludge, such as in allowing use of reduced amounts of coagulant and/or reducing dewatering times, increased dewatered volumes, and reduced sludge product moisture contents, and the like. The dewatered sludge may be formed into a dried particulate, and may be used as filler or other component of concrete, rubber, asphalt, plastics, resin-wood composite products, and other composite products.

The present invention relates to an in-line blending apparatus and use therein for flocculating and dewatering an aqueous mineral suspension. Said method comprises blending an aqueous mineral suspension and a poly(ethylene oxide) (co)polymer using a progressive cavity pump. Said method is particularly useful for the treatment of suspensions of particulate material, especially waste mineral slurries, especially for the treatment of tailings and other waste material resulting from mineral processing, in particular, the processing of oil sands tailings.

Methods of treating bodies of water or wastewater are disclosed herein. The method can include providing one or more water treatment compositions comprising a compound with a peroxide group or a carbonate salt, a binder, a fibrous material, and an inert material, where the compound, binder, the fibrous material, and the inert material are combined into the form of an integral product, and immersing the integral product into a body of water or wastewater. The method can include a dispensing apparatus for holding such integral products such that the step of immersing the tablets into a body of water or wastewater is accomplished by immersing the dispensing apparatus into the body of water or wastewater. The dispensing apparatus can be arranged such that when integral products are placed in the apparatus the integral products form a vertical column.

Methods of treating bodies of water or wastewater are disclosed herein. The method can include providing one or more water treatment compositions comprising a compound with a peroxide group or a carbonate salt, a binder, a fibrous material, and an inert material, where the compound, binder, the fibrous material, and the inert material are combined into the form of an integral product, and immersing the integral product into a body of water or wastewater. The method can include a dispensing apparatus for holding such integral products such that the step of immersing the tablets into a body of water or wastewater is accomplished by immersing the dispensing apparatus into the body of water or wastewater. The dispensing apparatus can be arranged such that when integral products are placed in the apparatus the integral products form a vertical column.

A portable waste treatment apparatus for treating hydro-excavation waste includes an elongate frame formed from separable upper and lower frame sections mounted upon one another. The upper frame section houses a mixing tank for receiving waste slurry and for mixing the waste slurry with flocculating and/or coagulating agents. A thickener tank receives waste slurry from the mixing tank, and a dewatering device is provided for dewatering sludge collected in the thickener tank. The lower frame section houses a buffer tank arranged to receive sludge from a sludge outlet of the thickener tank. A pump is provided for pumping the sludge to the dewatering device, and a water tank is arranged to receive water overflowing from the thickener tank.

A portable waste treatment apparatus for treating hydro-excavation waste includes an elongate frame formed from separable upper and lower frame sections mounted upon one another. The upper frame section houses a mixing tank for receiving waste slurry and for mixing the waste slurry with flocculating and/or coagulating agents. A thickener tank receives waste slurry from the mixing tank, and a dewatering device is provided for dewatering sludge collected in the thickener tank. The lower frame section houses a buffer tank arranged to receive sludge from a sludge outlet of the thickener tank. A pump is provided for pumping the sludge to the dewatering device, and a water tank is arranged to receive water overflowing from the thickener tank.