A method for electrokinetic dewatering of slurries, consisting of parallel electrode pairs suspended in a slurry deposit. Deployment consists of pulling the ends of electrode sections across a deposit. If solar power is used, floating solar panels are connected to electrodes at fixed spacings and deployed concurrently with the electrode assembly. The electrodes are suspended below or above the mudline by floats. By inflating or deflating the floats, the electrode positions are remotely controlled. External sleeves on the electrodes are used to trap and vent gas generated at the electrodes that otherwise might prematurely terminate the dewatering process. An insulated supplementary conductor is intermittently connected to the anode to decrease power attenuation and mitigate the risk of anode failure. Grid power is regulated by a central control system at the edge of a deposit. Solar power is regulated by dispersed control systems on the floating solar panels.
C02F 11/131 - Treatment of sludge; Devices therefor by de-watering, drying or thickening by heating using electromagnetic or ultrasonic waves
B01J 19/08 - Processes employing the direct application of electric or wave energy, or particle radiation; Apparatus therefor
C02F 1/469 - Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by electrochemical methods by electrochemical separation, e.g. by electro-osmosis, electrodialysis, electrophoresis
C02F 11/12 - Treatment of sludge; Devices therefor by de-watering, drying or thickening
2.
AN ELECTROKINETIC METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DEWATERING SOFT SOILS, SLURRIES, COLLOIDAL SUSPENSIONS AND OTHER DEPOSITS
A method for in situ electrokinetic dewatering of fine-grained slurries, consisting of parallel electrode pairs suspended in the slurry deposit. Deployment consists of pulling the ends of spooled electrodes across the deposit. As they are unspooled, tethers are connected between adjacent electrode pairs, enabling the horizontal spacing between electrodes to be controlled. The electrodes are suspended from the mudline by floats; by inflating or deflating the floats, the electrode positions are controlled. An insulated supplementary conductor is intermittently connected to the anode to decrease power attenuation and mitigate the risk of anode failure. Gas collars are used to trap and vent gas generated at the electrodes to prevent the dewatering process from stopping due to gas buildup in the slurry.
An adaptive electrokinetic dewatering system for dewatering slurry and soil deposits, including tailings deposits and a control system therefor. The control system automatically determines an optimal applied power specification, including sets of power parameters to be applied to the deposit being dewatered and when to apply each set of power parameters during the electrokinetic dewatering process. Furthermore, the control system automatically adjusts the applied power specification throughout the course of the dewatering process to account for the changing properties of the deposit. The control system determines the applied power specifications and adjustments to be made to them by simulating the electrokinetic dewatering process using a simulator which incorporates the latest measurements of the electrical, physical and chemical properties of the deposit being dewatered. The control system uses the simulator to forecast the dewatering performances of alternative applied power specifications and selects and applies the alternative applied power specification having a forecast dewatering performance that satisfies one or more switching criteria set by an operator.
An adaptive electrokinetic dewatering system for dewatering slurry and soil deposits, including tailings deposits and a control system therefor. The control system automatically determines an optimal applied power specification, including sets of power parameters to be applied to the deposit being dewatered and when to apply each set of power parameters during the electrokinetic dewatering process. Furthermore, the control system automatically adjusts the applied power specification throughout the course of the dewatering process to account for the changing properties of the deposit. The control system determines the applied power specifications and adjustments to be made to them by simulating the electrokinetic dewatering process using a simulator which incorporates the latest measurements of the electrical, physical and chemical properties of the deposit being dewatered. The control system uses the simulator to forecast the dewatering performances of alternative applied power specifications and selects and applies the alternative applied power specification having a forecast dewatering performance that satisfies one or more switching criteria set by an operator.
A method is provided of treating liquid tailings using electro-kinetics by creating a variable voltage between two electrodes in the tailings. Flocculation and water release from the tailings is induced by establishing an electrical field between the two electrodes. The electrodes are connected to an electrical power source having the variable voltage to create a cathode and an anode. Compacting the flocculation solids and removing further water released from the compacting solids allows for the creation of a compacted material having a desired load bearing capacity.
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.
C02F 1/461 - Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by electrochemical methods by electrolysis
B01D 17/06 - Separation of liquids from each other by electricity
B03B 9/02 - General arrangement of separating plant, e.g. flow sheets specially adapted for oil-sand, oil-chalk, oil-shales, ozokerite, bitumen, or the like
C10G 1/04 - Production of liquid hydrocarbon mixtures from oil shale, oil-sand, or non-melting solid carbonaceous or similar materials, e.g. wood, coal by extraction
7.
Method and apparatus for treating tailings using an AC voltage with a DC offset
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.
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 1/2 V/cm.
C02F 1/469 - Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage by electrochemical methods by electrochemical separation, e.g. by electro-osmosis, electrodialysis, electrophoresis
B03B 9/02 - General arrangement of separating plant, e.g. flow sheets specially adapted for oil-sand, oil-chalk, oil-shales, ozokerite, bitumen, or the like
9.
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TREATING TAILINGS USING ALTERNATING CURRENT
There is a method described of treating tailings which are composed of at least some water and clay particles. Within the tailings, at least some water molecules are weakly bond to the clay particles to form a gel like fluid from which water does not readily separate. An alternating current is applied to the tailings to change the electro-chemical properties of the tailings to reduce the weak bonding between the water and the clay particles so that water within the treated tailings is able to separate. Water within the treated tailings is then allowed to separate without further application of electricity. In some embodiments, the treated tailings are allowed to separate through evaporation. Liquid tailings may also be treated with alternating current by applying alternating current to the liquid tailings at a voltage gradient range of 1 to 5 V/cm for a total duration of 24 to 300 hours. The application of alternating current may further comprise applying alternating current at a frequency of 1 to 30 Hz.
A method of compacting solids in situ in an oil sands extraction tailings pond. The method includes the steps of placing two or more electrodes into the tailings pond in a predetermined spacing and connecting the electrodes to a source of power, having a variable voltage. This creates at least one cathode and at least one anode and an electrical field therebetween. The electrical field is of a sufficient strength to induce flocculation of particles in the tailings and to simultaneously release water. Then the solids undergo further compaction with further water release to create a solid material having a minimum desired load bearing capacity. In a further embodiment an electrode used in carrying out the method is provided.
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