Synergism in polyethylene oxide dewatering of phosphatic clay waste
As part of research conducted in its mission to effect pollution abatement, the Bureau of Mines, US Department of the Interior, is developing a dewatering technique that allows for disposal of phosphatic clay wastes, for reuse of water now lost with clays, and for reclamation of mined land. The technique utilizes a high-molecular-weight nonionic polyethylene oxide polymer (PEO) that has the ability to flocculate and dewater phosphatic clay wastes. A synergistic flocculation study was made to determine whether a portion of PEO could be replaced by other reagents. Several groups of reagents were tested: (1) those that increased the zeta potential of the phosphatic clay wastes; (2) those capable of hydrogen bonding; and (3) those which flocculated the phosphatic clay waste. Reduction in PEO consumption occurred only with addition of those reagents able to flocculate the slime. The use of natural guar gums resulted in a lower PEO requirement and also yielded a dewatered product of higher solids content, 43 to 45%, versus 33 to 35% obtained with PEO alone.
- Research Organization:
- Bureau of Mines, Tuscaloosa, AL (USA)
- OSTI ID:
- 5317324
- Report Number(s):
- BM-RI-8436
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Dewatering of industrial clay wastes
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Related Subjects
320305* -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Industrial & Agricultural Processes-- Industrial Waste Management
CLAYS
CONSUMPTION RATES
DEHYDRATION
DISPERSIONS
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
FERTILIZERS
FLOCCULATION
INDUSTRIAL WASTES
LIQUID WASTES
MANAGEMENT
MINERALS
MINING
MIXTURES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC POLYMERS
PHOSPHATE ROCKS
POLYETHYLENE GLYCOLS
POLYMERS
PRECIPITATION
PROCESSING
ROCKS
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SLURRIES
SUSPENSIONS
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE PROCESSING
WASTES