Electrophoretic process for separating aqueous mineral suspensions
US4501648A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 24, 1983 |
| Grant date | Feb 26, 1985 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 24, 2003 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC25B7/00
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
An aqueous suspension of fine mineral solids, for example oil sand tailings sludge, is separated into separate solid and liquid components by first chemically conditioning the suspension with the addition of lime, and thereafter passing an electrical potential between electrodes submerged in the suspension. The electrical potential causes the solids to migrate toward, and deposit on, the positive of the electrodes. The lime pre-treatment allows the electrode deposit to dry, through electroosmosis, to render it sufficiently dry by disposal. The chemical conditioning step preferably includes adding a carbonate- or bicarbonate-forming reagent after the lime addition.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.