Method and apparatus for treating tailings using an AC voltage with a DC offset

US9428408B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• DPRA Canada Incorporated · CA

Inventors

• Bruce S. Beattie · Vista, US
• Paul Garcia · Henderson, US
• Doug Kimzey · Knoxville, US
• Ben Harris · London, GB
• Robert C. Parrott · Greenville, US
• James Micak · Schreiber, CA

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 7, 2013
• Grant date: Aug 30, 2016
• Expiry date: Oct 7, 2033

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C02F2201/4613
• WIPO field: Environmental technology
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

There is a method of facilitating the consolidation of fine tailings through the application of an electrical current. The fine tailings include a combination of at least some water and some clay particles. Electrodes are placed into contact with the fine tailings. An AC voltage with a DC offset is applied to the electrodes to separate water from the clay particles and to induce movement of the separated water to a collection area. The separated clay particles can consolidate more readily than unseparated clay particles. In an embodiment, the fine tailings are mixed fine oil sands extraction tailings which include residual hydrocarbons. In an embodiment, the application of an AC voltage with a DC offset across the electrodes includes applying an AC voltage of about 1 V/cm and a DC offset of about ½ V/cm.