Polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon products, processes for production thereof, and uses thereof as a flocculant

Abstract

A process for producing a polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon product includes grafting an atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) initiator to an activated carbon product, to yield an activated carbon macroinitiator, and from the activated carbon macroinitiator, performing surface-initiated (SI) activators generated by electron transfer (AGET) atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of acrylamide monomers, to yield the polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon product. A flocculant for mature fine tailings includes a polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon product. A process for flocculation of mature fine tailings includes adding a polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon product to a slurry of mature fine tailings, and allowing the polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon product.

Description

POLYACRYLAMIDE FUNCTIONALIZED ACTIVATED CARBON PRODUCTS, PROCESSES FOR PRODUCTION THEREOF, AND USES THEREOF AS A FLOCCULANTFIELD

[0001] This document relates to functionalized activated carbon. More specifically, this document relates to polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon products, processes for producing polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon products, and uses of polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon products, for example in the flocculation of mature fine tailings.BACKGROUND

[0002] U.S. Patent No. 9,249,241 (Dai et al.) describes a functionalized mesoporous carbon composition comprising a mesoporous carbon scaffold having mesopores in which polyvinyl polymer grafts are covalently attached. The mesopores have a size of at least 2 nm and up to 50 nm. Also described is a method for producing the functionalized mesoporous composition, wherein a reaction medium comprising a precursor mesoporous carbon, vinyl monomer, initiator, and solvent is subjected to sonication of sufficient power to result in grafting and polymerization of the vinyl monomer into mesopores of the precursor mesoporous carbon. Also described are methods for using the functionalized mesoporous carbon, particularly in extracting metal ions from metalcontaining solutions.SUMMARY

[0003] The following summary is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of the detailed description, but not to define or delimit any invention.

[0004] Processes for flocculation of mature fine tailings are disclosed.

[0005] According to some aspects, a process for flocculation of mature fine tailings includes a) adding a polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon product to a slurry of mature fine tailings; and b) allowing the polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon product to flocculate the mature fine tailings from the slurry.

[0006] In some examples, step a) includes adding the polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon product to the slurry of mature fine tailings at a dosage of between about 10,000 ppm and about 22,500 ppm. In some examples, step a) includes adding the polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon product to the slurry of mature fine tailings at a dosage of between about 17,500 ppm and about 22,500 ppm. In some examples, step a) includes adding the polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon product to the slurry of mature fine tailings at a dosage of about 20,000 ppm.

[0007] In some examples, the polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon product includes a polyacrylamide homopolymer. In some examples, the polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon product includes a polyacrylamide co-polymer.

[0008] In some examples, the number-average molecular weight of the polyacrylamide is between about 30,000 g / mol and about 1 ,000,000 g / mol. In some examples, the numberaverage molecular weight of the polyacrylamide is between about 150,000 g / mol and about 250,000 g / mol. In some examples, the number-average molecular weight of the polyacrylamide is about 176,100 g / mol.

[0009] In some examples, the method further includes mixing between steps a) and b).

[0010] Flocculants for mature fine tailings are also disclosed.

[0011] According to some aspects, a flocculant for mature fine tailings includes a polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon product.

[0012] In some examples, the polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon product includes a polyacrylamide homopolymer. In some examples, the polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon product includes a polyacrylamide co-polymer.

[0013] In some examples, the number-average molecular weight of the polyacrylamide is between about 30,000 g / mol and about 1 ,000,000 g / mol. In some examples, the numberaverage molecular weight of the polyacrylamide is between about 150,000 g / mol and about 250,000 g / mol. In some examples, the number-average molecular weight of the polyacrylamide is about 176,100 g / mol.

[0014] Uses of the flocculant for flocculating mature fine tailings are also disclosed.

[0015] Uses of the polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon product in water cleaning are also disclosed.

[0016] Processes for producing polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon products are also disclosed.

[0017] According to some aspects, a process for producing a polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon product includes a) grafting an atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) initiator to an activated carbon product, to yield an activated carbon macroinitiator, and b) from the activated carbon macroinitiator, performing surface-initiated (SI) activators generated by electron transfer (AGET) atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of acrylamide monomers, to yield the polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon product.

[0018] In some examples, step a) includes: i. oxidizing the activated carbon product to yield pre-functionalized sites on the activated carbon product; and ii. grafting the ATRP initiator to the pre-functionalized sites to yield the activated carbon macroinitiator.

[0019] In some examples, step i. includes oxidizing the activated carbon product with ammonium persulfate, nitric acid, hydrogen peroxide, or a combination thereof.

[0020] In some examples, the ATRP initiator includes a-bromoisobutyryl bromide and / or a-chloroisobutyryl chloride.

[0021] In some examples, step b) includes performing SI AGET ATRP of only acrylamide monomers, so that the polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon product comprises a polyacrylamide homopolymer. In some examples, step b) includes performing SI AGET ATRP of acrylamide monomers and at least one secondary monomer, so that the polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon product comprises a polyacrylamide copolymer.

[0022] In some examples, the number-average molecular weight of the polyacrylamide is between about 30,000 g / mol and about 1 ,000,000 g / mol. In some examples, the number-average molecular weight of the polyacrylamide is between about 150,000 g / mol and about 250,000 g / mol. In some examples, the number-average molecular weight of the polyacrylamide is about 176,100 g / mol.

[0023] In some examples, the polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon product includes between about 2 wt% and about 25 wt% polyacrylamide. In some examples, the polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon product includes between about 5 wt% and about 15 wt% polyacrylamide. In some examples, the polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon product comprises about 11 wt% polyacrylamide.

[0024] In some examples, the polyacrylamide is in a brush configuration.

[0025] Also disclosed are products made by the processes described herein.

[0026] Also disclosed are processes for removing contaminants from water.

[0027] According to some aspects, a process for removing contaminants from water includes: a. adding a polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon product to contaminated water; and b. allowing the polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon product to adsorb contaminants from the contaminated water.

[0028] In some examples, the contaminated water includes mature fine tailings.

[0029] In some examples, step b. further includes allowing the polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon product to flocculate contaminants in the contaminated water.

[0030] Also disclosed are systems for removing contaminants from water.

[0031] According to some aspects, a system for recovering contaminants from water includes: a pipeline to carry a supply of contaminated water; and a supply of a polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon product, to be in communication with an upstream site in the pipeline, under conditions to enable the processes described herein.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] The drawings included herewith are for illustrating various examples of articles, methods, and apparatuses of the present specification and are not intended to limit the scope of what is taught in any way. In the drawings:

[0033] Figure 1 is a flowchart of an example process for producing a polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon product;

[0034] Figure 2A is a flowchart of an example process for flocculation of mature fine tailings using a polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon product;

[0035] Figure 2B is a schematic diagram showing the flocculation of mature fine tailings by the addition of a polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon product to a moving body of water in a pipeline;

[0036] Figure 3 shows FTIR of oxidized activated carbon product (AC-OH), ATRP initiator modified activated carbon product (AC-BiBB), polyacrylamide modified activated carbon product (AC-PAM), and polyacrylamide (PAM);

[0037] Figure 4 shows high-resolution C 1 s scans with synthetic components for unmodified activated carbon product (AC), oxidized activated carbon product (AC-OH), ATRP initiator modified activated carbon product (AC-BiBB), polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon product (AC-PAM), and polyacrylamide (PAM)

[0038] Figure 5 shows high-resolution N 1s scans with synthetic components for polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon product (AC-PAM) and polyacrylamide (PAM);

[0039] Figure 6 shows the TGA profile of unmodified activated carbon product, oxidized activated carbon product (AC-OH), ATRP initiator modified activated carbon product (AC- BiBB), polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon product (AC-PAM), and polyacrylamide (PAM); and

[0040] Figure 7 shows settling test results for the flocculation of 5 wt% mature fine tailings (MFT) with activated carbon product (AC), polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbonproduct (AC-PAM), and polyacrylamide (PAM); A) Images of the treated MFT after settling for 24 hours; B) Settling profiles and initial settling rates (ISR) for the flocculation of MFT.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] Various apparatuses or processes or compositions will be described below to provide an example of an embodiment of the claimed subject matter. No embodiment described below limits any claim and any claim may cover processes or apparatuses or compositions that differ from those described below. The claims are not limited to apparatuses or processes or compositions having all of the features of any one apparatus or process or composition described below or to features common to multiple or all of the apparatuses or processes or compositions described below. It is possible that an apparatus or process or composition described below is not an embodiment of any exclusive right granted by issuance of this patent application. Furthermore, the present disclosure provides basis for and encompasses support for any one element, feature, structure, function, of any aspect and / or example embodiment described in the present disclosure including the figures, clauses and / or claims herein, which is itself claimed on its own or combined with any one or more elements, features, structures, functions, and / or steps from the same or any other aspects and / or examples described in the present disclosure including the figures, clauses and / or claims herein. Any subject matter described below and for which an exclusive right is not granted by issuance of this patent application may be the subject matter of another protective instrument, for example, a continuing patent application, and the applicants, inventors or owners do not intend to abandon, disclaim or dedicate to the public any such subject matter by its disclosure in this document.

[0042] As used herein, the term “about” indicates that a referenced value may vary, for example by plus or minus 5%. For example, a reference to a molecular weight of “about 1 ,000,000 g / mol” may indicate that the molecular weight is between 950,000 g / mol and 1 ,050,000 g / mol.

[0043] In this document, unless specified otherwise, all ranges are inclusive of the bounds of the range. For example, the statement that a dosage may be “between 10,000 ppmand 25,000 ppm” indicates that the dosage may be 10,000 ppm, 25,000 ppm, or any number therebetween.

[0044] In any instance in which the disclosure refers to a single instance of an element, examples may include a multiple of such elements. The term “at least one” in reference to any element is not intended to force an interpretation on any other reference elsewhere in the disclosure to a single instance of an element to mean only one such instance of the element.

[0045] Generally disclosed herein are polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon products (also referred to herein as AC-PAM), processes for producing polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon products, flocculants that include polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon products, and uses of polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon products in the flocculation of mature fine tailings.

[0046] In general, the polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon products include an activated carbon product (also referred to herein as AC) that is grafted with polyacrylamide (also referred to herein as PAM). The polyacrylamide may in some examples be grafted in a brush configuration. As used herein, the term “brush configuration” indicates that the polymer chains are tethered (e.g. through covalent bonding or physical adsorption) by one chain end to a solid surface. The polymer chains are not collapsed against the surface, but rather extend away from the surface (for example, stand generally upright with respect to the surface). This is in contrast to a “pancake configuration” in which polymers are collapsed against the surface.

[0047] The polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon products may generally be produced in a “grafting from” strategy, by grafting an atom transfer radical polymerization (also referred to herein as ATRP) initiator to an activated carbon product, to yield an activated carbon macroinitiator, and then from the activated carbon macroinitiator, performing surface-initiated (also referred to herein as SI) activators generated by electron transfer (also referred to herein as AGET) atom transfer radical polymerization (also referred to herein as ATRP) of acrylamide monomers, to yield the polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon product.

[0048] The polyacrylamide may be grafted from an external surface of the activated carbon product, or an internal surface (i.e. on a surface that is within a pore).

[0049] The polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon products may have a variety of uses, but may be particularly useful in water cleaning. In particular, the polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon products may be used as a flocculant. More specifically, the polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon products may be used in the flocculation of mature fine tailings, such as those produced during the extraction of bitumen from oil sands. Surprisingly, it has been found that the polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon products can improve flocculation of mature fine tailings by upwards of 7-fold as compared to polyacrylamide alone (as measured by supernatant turbidity), and by upwards of 170-fold as compared to activated carbon alone (as measured by supernatant turbidity after floc settling).

[0050] Without being limited by theory, it is believed that the activated carbon product of the polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon product acts to effectively extend the polyacrylamide branches, as the polyacrylamide branches project in several directions from the activated carbon product. This enhances the ability of the polyacrylamide branches to bridge multiple suspended mature fine tailings particles and produce flocs, as opposed to relying on a single polyacrylamide strand to interact with at least two suspended mature fine tailings particles to generate a floc. This results in synergistic of the activated carbon product and the polyacrylamide.

[0051] Referring now to Figure 1 , an example process for producing a polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon product is shown. The feed to the process includes an activated carbon product. The activated carbon product may be, but is not limited to, powdered activated carbon, granular activated carbon, activated carbon film, extruded activated carbon, bead activated carbon, impregnated active carbon, and combinations thereof. The activated carbon product may be, for example, mesoporous, and / or microporous. The activated carbon product may be produced by any suitable fabrication technique, such as the one disclosed in International Patent Application Publication No.W02023 / 004502 published on February 2, 2023 (Pede et al.), the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0052] At step 102, an ATRP initiator is grafted to the activated carbon product (e.g. to an external surface or an internal surface), to yield an activated carbon macroinitiator. This may be achieved by first oxidizing the activated carbon product to yield pre-functionalized sites on the activated carbon product (step 104), and then grafting the ATRP initiator to the pre-functionalized sites to yield the activated carbon macroinitiator (step 106).

[0053] Step 104 may include, for example, oxidizing the activated carbon product with an oxidant such as ammonium persulfate, nitric acid, hydrogen peroxide, or a combination thereof. Preferably, the activated carbon is oxidized with ammonium persulfate to yield an oxidized activated carbon product of the following structure (where the structure of the activated carbon product itself is simplified):

[0054] Step 106 may include, for example, grafting an ATRP initiator such as a- bromoisobutyryl bromide and / or a-chloroisobutyryl chloride to the pre-functionalized sites. Preferably, a-bromoisobutyryl bromide is grafted to the pre-functionalized sites, to yield an activated carbon macroinitiator of the following structure (where the structure of the activated carbon itself is simplified):

[0055] At step 108, SI AGET ATRP of acrylamide monomers is performed from the activated carbon macroinitiator, to yield the polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon product. SI AGET ATRP of only acrylamide monomers may be performed, to yielda polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon product that includes a polyacrylamide homopolymer. Alternatively, SI AGET ATRP of acrylamide monomers and at least one secondary monomer may be performed, to yield a polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon product that includes a polyacrylamide co-polymer. The secondary monomer may be, for example, diallyldimethylammonium chloride. An example polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon product, where the polyacrylamide is a homopolymer, is shown below (where the structure of the activated carbon itself is simplified):

[0056] The resulting polymer may have a number average molecular weight of, for example, between about 30,000 g / mol and about 1 ,000,000 g / mol, or between about 150,000 g / mol and about 250,000 g / mol, or about 176, 100 g / mol.

[0057] The resulting polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon product may include, for example, between about 2 wt% and about 25 wt% polyacrylamide, or between about 5 wt% and about 15 wt% polyacrylamide, or about 11 wt% polyacrylamide.

[0058] As described above, in the resulting polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon, the polyacrylamide may be in a brush configuration.

[0059] Upon completion of the polymerization reaction, the functionalized activated carbon product may be collected and dried (step 110).

[0060] In use, the polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon may be added to contaminated water (e.g. a slurry of mature fine tailings), in order to remove contaminants from the water (e.g. to flocculate the mature fine tailings from the slurry). Referring now to Figure 2A, an example process 200a for flocculation of mature fine tailings is shown. At step 202a, the polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon product is added to aslurry of mature fine tailings. The polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon product may be added to the slurry at a dosage of, for example, between about 10,000 ppm and about 22,500 ppm, or between about 17,500 ppm and about 22,500 ppm, or about 20,000 ppm.

[0061] The polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon product may be added to a stagnant body of water (e.g. a mature fine tailings pond), or to a moving body of water (e.g. to a pipeline between mature fine tailings ponds). Figure 2B shows an example in which the functionalized activated carbon product 200b is added to a moving body of water 202b in a pipeline 204b.

[0062] Referring back to Figure 2A, optionally, at step 204a, the polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon product and the slurry of mature fine tailings may be mixed (particularly in the case where the polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon product is added to a stagnant body of water).

[0063] At step 206a, the polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon product may be allowed to flocculate the mature fine tailings from the slurry. Optionally, the resulting flocs may then be allowed to settle. For example, the mixture may be left for a period of time sufficient for flocculation and settling, such as up to about 48 hours, or between about 12 hours and about 36 hours, or about 24 hours (or another period of time sufficient for flocculation and subsequent settling).

[0064] As described in further detail below, it has been found that the use of the polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon product can improve flocculation of mature fine tailings by upwards of 7-fold, as compared to polyacrylamide alone (as measured by supernatant turbidity), and by upwards of 170-fold, as compared to activated carbon alone (as measured by supernatant turbidity after floc settling).EXAMPLESMaterials and MethodsMaterials

[0065] Potassium hydroxide (KOH), ammonium persulfate (APS), sulfuric acid (H2SO4), 4-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP), a-bromoisobutyryl bromide (BiBB), tetrahydrofuran (THF), and methanol were purchased from Sigma Aldrich and used as received. Acrylamide (AM, Thermo Scientific), N,N,N’,N”,N”-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine (PMDETA,TGI America), ascorbic acid (AscA, Bio Basic), acetone (Fisher Chemicals), and CuBr2 (Alfa Aesar) were used as received. Triethylamine (TEA) was purchased from Alfa Aesar and was dried using A4 molecular sieves before use. Petroleum coke (petcoke) and mature fine tailings (MFT) were supplied by Suncor Energy Inc. (Alberta, Canada).Preparation of Activated Carbon Product (AC)

[0066] Petcoke (3.0 g) and KOH (3.0 g) were mixed thoroughly and placed in a stainless- steel crucible. The crucible was placed in an oven under N2 at 400°C for 30 minutes and removed once cooled to approximately 200-250°C. The sample was well mixed and placed back in an oven under isl and heated to 900°C (ramp rate of 60°C / min), then held at 900°C for 15 minutes. The sample was allowed to cool to a minimum of 250°C before removing from the oven. Once cooled to room temperature, the sample was ground with a mortar and pestle, then placed in a beaker with deionized water (60 mL). The mixture was stirred at 80°C for 1 hour, then vacuum filtered and washed with additional deionized water (60 mL) at 80°C. The sample was then stirred with 0.1 M HCI (10 mL / g AC) at 80°C for 1 hour, then recovered by vacuum filtration. The resulting activated carbon product (AC) was dried in an oven at 110°C overnight.Oxidation of Activated Carbon Product (AC-OH)

[0067] Activated carbon product (1.0 g) was added to a solution of 2.0 M ammonium persulfate in 1 .0 M sulfuric acid (15 mL). The mixture was stirred at 60°C for 4 hours, then cooled to room temperature. The product was collected by vacuum filtration and washed with deionized water until the washings were approximately neutral, then dried in a vacuum oven overnight at 110°C. The resulting product is denoted as AC-OH.Initiator Grafting from Activated Carbon Product (AC-BiBB)

[0068] AC-OH (2.46 g), DMAP (0.147 g, 1.20 mmol), THF (50 mL), and TEA (2.8 mL, 20 mmol) were added to a 100 mL round bottom flask. The mixture was dispersed in an ultrasonic bath for 30 minutes, then transferred to an ice-salt bath and placed under N2. Once cooled, BiBB (1 .075 mL, 8.7 mmol) in THF (13 mL) was added to the flask dropwise. The mixture was stirred on ice for 3 hours, then at room temperature for a total of 48 hours. The mixture was filtered and washed with acetone, then washed with deionized water. The resulting product was dried in a vacuum oven at 40°C and is denoted as AC- BiBB.Surface Initiated Polymerization of Acrylamide (AC-PAM)

[0069] AC-BiBB (0.1035 g), acrylamide (10.662 g, 0.15 mols), and Millipore water (49 mL) were added to a round bottom flask and purged with N2 for 30 minutes. An aqueous catalyst solution (0.5 mL) containing CuBr2 (1.5x1 O’5mol) and PMDETA (1.5x1 O’4mol) was injected into the flask and sealed under N2. The solution was heated to 60°C and an aqueous solution containing ascorbic acid (0.5 mL, 1.5x1 O’4mol) was injected to initiate polymerization. After 24 hours, the solution was cooled and centrifuged at 8700 rpm to collect the product. The supernatant was discarded, and the product was re-dispersed in water and centrifuged again at 8700 rpm. This process was repeated 3 times to remove any free or physically absorbed polymer. The resultant product was collected and dried in a vacuum oven at 40°C, and is denoted as AC-PAM.AGET ATRP of Acrylamide (PAM)

[0070] Acrylamide was polymerized by AGET ATRP using the same polymerization conditions as the SI-AGET ATRP of acrylamide. Instead of growing the polymer from the surface of AC-BiBB, the polymer was synthesized using BiBB as the initiator. For this synthesis, acrylamide (10.662 g, 0.15 mols) and ASTM Type II water (49 mL) were added to a round bottom flask and purged with N2 for 30 minutes. An aqueous catalyst solution (0.5 mL) containing CuBr2 (1.5x1 O’5mol) and PMDETA (1.5x1 O’4mol) was injected into the flask and sealed under N2. The solution was heated to 60°C and BiBB (3.72 pL, 3.0x1 O’5mols) was added to the flask. An aqueous solution containing ascorbic acid (0.5 mL, 1.5x1 O’4mol) was injected to initiate polymerization. After a pre-determined amountof time, an aliquot was taken from the reaction flask and the polymer was precipitated in methanol. The polymer was recovered by vacuum filtration, washed with methanol, and dried in a vacuum oven at 40°C.Hydrolysis of PAM from AC-PAM

[0071] To measure the molecular weight of the grafted polymer, the polymer was first cleaved from the surface of AC by acid catalyzed hydrolysis. This was accomplished by refluxing AC-PAM (0.5 g) with ASTM Type II water (25 mL) and concentrated HCI (0.25 mL) at 100°C for 3 hours. After the reflux was complete, the solution was cooled to room temperature and vacuum filtered to remove the AC. The filtrate was precipitated in excess methanol and vacuum filtered to recover the cleaved polymer. The cleaved polymer was dried in an oven at 40°C overnight.Characterization

[0072] The specific surface area of the activated carbon and oxidized activated carbon samples were measured using a Tristar II Plus surface area and porosity analyzer. The samples were analyzed using N2 adsorption at 77 K with 50 points monitoring adsorption between 0.0065 p / p° and 0.995 p / p° and 52 points desorption between 0.995 p / p° and 0.104 p / p°. All surface areas were reported using Brunauer-Emmet-Teller (BET) surface area analysis. XPS measurements were performed on a Kratos AXIS supra spectrometer using monochromatic Al K(alpha) source (15mA, 15kV). The instrument work function was calibrated to give a binding energy (BE) of 83.96 eV for the Au 4f7 / 2 line for metallic gold and the spectrometer dispersion was adjusted to give a BE of 932.6 eV for the Cu 2p3 eV line of metallic copper. The Kratos charge neutralizer system was used on all samples. Survey scan analyses were carried out with an analysis area of 300 x 700 microns and a pass energy of 160 eV. High resolution analyses were carried out with an analysis are of 300 x 700 microns and a pass energy of 20 eV. Analysis of the survey scans and high-resolution scans were performed using CASA XPS (version 2.31 ), with spectra being corrected to the main line of the C1 s spectrum at 284.8 eV. Baseline corrections were made using a Shirley type background correction. FTIR measurements were performed using a Nicolet 380 FTIR spectrometer with a diamond crystal ATRaccessory. Measurements were performed with 128 scans per analysis within the range of 400-4000 cm’1. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was performed to determine the weight percent of grafted material on the surface of the modified activated carbon samples. Analyses were performed using a TA instruments Q600 SDT thermal analyzer. The samples were heated at a rate of 10 °C / min from room temperature to 1000 °C under argon with a flow rate of 20 mL / min. The molecular weight and molecular weight distribution of the cleaved polymer was determined by size exclusion chromatography (SEC) using Agilent Technologies 1220 Infinity LC equipped with a refractive index detector (RID, Agilent Technologies 1260 Infinity). A PL aquagel-OH MIXED-H 8 pm, 300 x 7.5 mm column was used with an aqueous solution of 0.2 M NaNOs and 0.01 M NaH2PO4 at pH 7 as the mobile phase. Sample concentration and injection volume was 0.20 % (w / v%) and 20 pL, respectively. Chromatography was done at room temperature with a flow rate of 1 mL / min and the detector was set at 35°C. The column was calibrated with PEO / PEG standard samples with narrow molecular weight distributions in the range of 106 - 1 ,522,000 g / mol (Agilent Technologies).MFT Characterization - Dean Stark Extraction

[0073] The solids, moisture, and bitumen content of the provided MFT sample were determined by Dean-Stark extraction. Prior to the extraction, the MFT sample was well mixed using a paddle stirrer. Approximately 12.5 g of MFT was placed in a pre-weighed thimble and was hung above a reflux flask containing 200 mL of toluene. As the toluene is refluxed, the vapors evaporate the water from the sample, which both rise to the condenser. The immiscible liquids condense and drip into the trap where they are separated into two layers, with toluene on the top layer. As the toluene in the trap rises to reach the level of the side arm, the toluene drips into the thimble containing the sample. When the toluene flows back into the thimble, the bitumen in the sample is dissolved, which drips back into the flask containing the toluene. The reflux is continued for approximately 24 hours until the solvent dripping from the thimble is visibly free of bitumen. Once the reflux is complete, the thimble is dried in an oven at 110°C overnight and weighed to determine the solid content of the sample. The water from the trap is drained and weighed to determine the moisture content of the sample. Finally, thetoluene / bitumen solution is placed in a 250 mL volumetric flask, filled with fresh toluene, and mixed well. 5 mL of the solution was pipetted onto a pre-weighed filter paper and the toluene is allowed to evaporate. Once thoroughly dry, the filter paper is weighed to determine the mass of bitumen in the 5 mL sample. The mass of bitumen in the sample is obtained from the mass of bitumen in 5 mL multiplied by 20.Settling Tests

[0074] Settling tests were conducted by weighing out 100.0 g of MFT slurry (diluted to 5 wt% solids in deionized water) into a 250 mL beaker. Flocculant dosages are reported as mg of polymer per kg of solids in the MFT. The slurry was mixed at 600 rpm using a three- blade propeller while the flocculant was added. For AC-PAM, the flocculant was added as a powder, while PAM was pre-dissolved in deionized water to a concentration of 0.02 g / mL. After flocculant addition, the suspension was mixed at 600 rpm for 2 minutes, followed by 200 rpm for 8 minutes. The mixture was then transferred to a 100 mL graduated cylinder and the change in height of the mudline was recorded over time. A settling profile was obtained by plotting the mudline height vs. time, and the initial settling rate (ISR) was reported as the slope of the initial linear section of the settling profile. After the slurry was allowed to consolidate for 24 hours, the supernatant was carefully pipetted, and the turbidity was measured using a DR / 890 Portable Colorimeter (Hach).ResultsCharacterization of AC-PAM

[0075] FTIR was utilized to monitor the evolution of the functional groups on the surface of the activated carbon product throughout synthesis of AC-PAM and PAM (Figure 3). The oxidized AC contains a variety of oxygen containing functional groups, evidenced by C=O stretching at 1724 cm-1, C-0 stretching at 1209 cm-1and 1162 cm-1, and C-OH stretching at 1037 cm-1. Upon functionalization with the ATRP initiator, a small additional peak at 1643 cm-1corresponding to the C=O stretching vibration of the initiator is observed. After polymerization, a variety of peaks corresponding to the functional groups of polyacrylamide are observed on the surface of AC. These peaks include NH2asymmetric stretching at 3395 cm-1, NH2 symmetric stretching at 3193 cm-1, sp3 CH2 asymmetric stretching at 2937 cm’1, NH2 bending at 1589 cm’1, sp3 CH2 bending at 1450 cm’1, and C N stretching at 1408 cm’1.

[0076] The elemental composition and speciation of the various modified AC-samples was investigated using XPS. From the XPS survey scan, the elemental composition of the various modified AC-samples was determined (Table 1 ).TABLE 1

[0077] When comparing the composition of the unmodified AC and the oxidized AC, the atomic percentage of oxygen in the sample drops from 23.97 % to 20.43 % upon oxidation. However, since the unmodified AC contains several other elements including Si, S, K, Fe, Al, and Ti, a large portion of the oxygen in this sample is present as complexes with these other elements and not as carbon-oxygen functional groups. This can be confirmed when comparing the peak fitting for the high-resolution C 1 s scan of the samples, showing a large increase in the carbon-oxygen functional groups on the AC after oxidation (Figure 4). Upon grafting of the ATRP initiator, a small peak corresponding to 0.17 At% Br is measured in the sample. While this represents a relatively small amount of initiator grafted to the surface, this was sufficient for the growth of polymer, evidenced by the large At% of nitrogen in the AC-PAM sample (9.80 At%). When comparing the peak fitting for the high-resolution N 1 s scan of the AC-PAM and PAM samples, most of the nitrogen in the AC-PAM sample is present as amides (Figure 5). This is further supported by the high-resolution C 1 s of AC-PAM, showing the addition a O=C-N component (Figure 4). Therefore, the XPS results support the successful grafting of PAM on the surface of AC.

[0078] The specific surface area of the different AC samples was measured by nitrogen adsorption using BET models. After oxidation, the surface area of the AC increased from 716 m2 / g to 782 m2 / g. While oxidation procedures often result in a decrease in surface area due to pore destruction, the AC-OH likely shows a higher surface area due to the removal of the silicates and metal oxides during the oxidation. After grafting of the ATRP initiator, the surface area of AC-BiBB is reduced to 240 m2 / g. This reduction in surface area is due to attachment of the macroinitiator, thereby increasing the non-porous content of the AC as well as potentially blocking the pores of AC. After surface-initiated polymerization, the surface area of the AC-polymer composite is greatly reduced to 7 m2 / g. This is attributed to the inclusion of the non-porous PAM on the surface of AC, as well as the polymer chains potentially blocking the pores of the AC when not extended in solution.

[0079] Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was used to estimate the amount of grafted material on the surface of the modified activated carbon products (Figure 6). All samples show an initial weight loss from the evaporation of water in the range of 70-110°C. A second weight loss occurs at approximately 185-290°C and was attributed to the decomposition of oxygen functional groups on the surface of AC, as well as the initiator groups on the surface of AC-BiBB. Comparing the residual masses after heating to 800°C, it was observed that AC-BiBB experienced an additional 4.03 wt% loss in weight when compared to AC-OH. From this, it was estimated that the AC-BiBB sample contains approximately 4.03 % of initiator by weight, corresponding to 0.269 mmol of BiBB / g of AC-BiBB. When comparing the TGA profile of the AC-PAM and PAM, they share similar decomposition profiles with major weight losses in the range of 280-330°C and 390- 440°C, corresponding to the decomposition of NH2 and the decomposition of the polymer backbone, respectively. After heating to 800°C, the residual mass of the AC-PAM was 45.72%, compared to the AC-BiBB which had 56.72%. The increase in weight loss of 11 % in the AC-PAM was attributed to the decomposition of PAM, indicating that the AC- PAM contains approximately 11 % PAM by weight.Molecular Weight Distribution

[0080] The concentration of initiator initially introduced in the reaction for the synthesis of AC-PAM was estimated from the concentration of initiator on the surface of AC, as determined by TGA. From this, the monomer to initiator ratio of this polymerization was estimated as roughly 5000:1 , which is expected produce a polymer with a molecular weight of 355,500 g / mol if 100% monomer conversion is achieved. The molecular weight of the grafted polymer was measured by first cleaving the polymer from the surface of AC using acid catalyzed hydrolysis. The cleaved polymer was then analyzed using size exclusion chromatography (SEC), and a molecular weight distribution was constructed. The number-average molecular weight (Mn) of the cleaved polymer was calculated as 176,100 g / mol with a dispersity value of 2.10. When compared to the theoretical molecular weight (assuming 100% monomer conversion), the cleaved polymer has a lower molecular weight.Settling Tests

[0081] Dean-Stark extraction was used to determine the solid, water, and bitumen content of the MFT sample. The extraction was repeated in triplicate and indicated that the MFT sample contains 36.26 ± 2.46 wt% solids, 57.44 ± 3.18 wt% water, and 6.30 ± 1 .18 wt% bitumen. From these results, the MFT sample was diluted to contain 5 wt% solids for settling tests.

[0082] The flocculation performance of AC-PAM was compared to the flocculation performance of PAM by conducting settling tests on diluted MFT (5 wt% solids). The flocculation performance was evaluated by measuring the initial settling rate (ISR) and turbidity of the supernatant after 24 hours of settling. A variety of dosages were explored for the different flocculants (Table 2).

[0083] The optimal polymer dosage for PAM was found to be 10,000 ppm, producing an initial settling rate of 3.51 m / hr and a supernatant turbidity of 430 NTU. When the dosage was further increased to 20,000 ppm, over-dosing was observed, and the initial settling rate was reduced to 2.97 m / hr and the supernatant turbidity increased to 840 NTU. At lower polymer dosages of 8,000 ppm, the flocculation performance was greatly reduced, producing a slower initial settling rate of 2.30 m / hr and a supernatant turbidity of 1350 NTU. The optimal dosage for the flocculation using AC-PAM was found to be 20,000 ppm. At polymer dosages of 10,000 ppm and 15,000 ppm, AC-PAM still performed as a flocculant; however, the flocculation performance was reduced. At the optimal dosage, the supernatant turbidity of the released water was 114 NTU and a fast initial settling rate of 27.54 m / hr was measured.

[0084] Compared to the flocculation results using the optimal dosage of just PAM, the AC- PAM flocculant produced better supernatant turbidity values and faster initial settling rates (Figure 7). A larger dosage of AC-PAM (20,000 ppm) was required to produce these results, compared to PAM (10,000 ppm). However, the dosage of AC-PAM refers to the total mass of AC-PAM added, not only the PAM polymer content. From the TGA results in the characterization of AC-PAM, it was estimated that the AC PAM is composed of roughly 11 % PAM by weight. Thus, the 20,000 ppm AC-PAM dosage contains approximately 2,200 ppm of grafted PAM. When comparing the flocculation performances of AC-PAM and PAM using the polymer content, AC-PAM produced better flocculation results using a significantly lower polymer dosage. Without being limited by theory, we hypothesize that this occurs due to the increased effective molecular weight of PAM whengrafted from the surface of activated carbon. While the molecular weight of the grafted polymer was measured as 176,100 g / mol, this refers to the molecular weight of a single polymer chain on the surface of activated carbon. Presuming multiple polymer chains are attached to a single particle of activated carbon, the polymer should be extended from the surface of activated carbon in 3-dimensions. Therefore, the hydrodynamic radius of AC-PAM should be at least double the hydrodynamic radius of a single polymer chain. Since the flocculation performance of a polymer is influenced by the number of particles that can be adsorbed onto the surface (a function of molecular weight), AC-PAM should contain more adsorption sites, leading to a better flocculation performance.

[0085] While the above description provides examples of one or more processes or apparatuses or compositions, it will be appreciated that other processes or apparatuses or compositions may be within the scope of the accompanying claims.

[0086] To the extent any amendments, characterizations, or other assertions previously made (in this or in any related patent applications or patents, including any parent, sibling, or child) with respect to any art, prior or otherwise, could be construed as a disclaimer of any subject matter supported by the present disclosure of this application, Applicant hereby rescinds and retracts such disclaimer. Applicant also respectfully submits that any prior art previously considered in any related patent applications or patents, including any parent, sibling, or child, may need to be re-visited.CLAUSES

[0087] Non-limiting examples are described in the following clauses:

[0088] 1. A process for flocculation of mature fine tailings, comprising: a) adding a polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon product to a slurry of mature fine tailings; and b) allowing the polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon product to flocculate the mature fine tailings from the slurry.

[0089] 2. The process of any of the preceding or following clauses, wherein step a) comprises adding the polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon product to the slurry of mature fine tailings at a dosage of between about 10,000 ppm and about 22,500 ppm.

[0090] 3. The process of any of the preceding or following clauses, wherein step a) comprises adding the polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon product to the slurry of mature fine tailings at a dosage of between about 17,500 ppm and about 22,500 ppm.

[0091] 4. The process of any of the preceding or following clauses, wherein step a) comprises adding the polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon product to the slurry of mature fine tailings at a dosage of about 20,000 ppm.

[0092] 5. The process of any of the preceding or following clauses wherein the polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon product comprises a polyacrylamide homopolymer.

[0093] 6. The process of any of the preceding or following clauses, wherein the polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon product comprises a polyacrylamide copolymer.

[0094] 7. The process of any of the preceding or following clauses, wherein the numberaverage molecular weight of the polyacrylamide is between about 30,000 g / mol and about 1 ,000,000 g / mol.

[0095] 8. The process of any of the preceding or following clauses, wherein the numberaverage molecular weight of the polyacrylamide is between about 150,000 g / mol and about 250,000 g / mol.

[0096] 9. The process of any of the preceding or following clauses, wherein the numberaverage molecular weight of the polyacrylamide is about 176,100 g / mol.

[0097] 10. The process of any of the preceding or following clauses, further comprising mixing between steps a) and b).

[0098] 11 . Aflocculant for mature fine tailings, comprising: a polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon product.

[0099] 12. The flocculant of any of the preceding or following clauses, wherein the polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon product comprises a polyacrylamide homopolymer.

[0100] 13. The flocculant of any of the preceding or following clauses, wherein the polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon product comprises a polyacrylamide copolymer.

[0101] 14. The flocculant of any of the preceding or following clauses, wherein the number-average molecular weight of the polyacrylamide is between about 30,000 g / mol and about 1 ,000,000 g / mol.

[0102] 15. The flocculant of any of the preceding or following clauses, wherein the number-average molecular weight of the polyacrylamide is between about 150,000 g / mol and about 250,000 g / mol.

[0103] 16. The flocculant of any of the preceding or following clauses, wherein the number-average molecular weight of the polyacrylamide is about 176,100 g / mol.

[0104] 17. A use of the flocculant of any of the preceding or following clauses for flocculating mature fine tailings.

[0105] 18. A use of the polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon product of any of the preceding or following clauses in water cleaning.

[0106] 19. A process for producing a polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon product, comprising: a) grafting an atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) initiator to an activated carbon product, to yield an activated carbon macroinitiator; and b) from the activated carbon macroinitiator, performing surface-initiated (SI) activators generated by electron transfer (AGET) atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of acrylamide monomers, to yield the polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon product.

[0107] 20. The process of any of the preceding or following clauses, wherein step a) comprises: i. oxidizing the activated carbon product to yield pre-functionalized sites onthe activated carbon product; and ii. grafting the ATRP initiator to the pre-functionalized sites to yield the activated carbon macroinitiator.

[0108] 21. The process of any of the preceding or following clauses, wherein step i. comprises oxidizing the activated carbon product with ammonium persulfate, nitric acid, hydrogen peroxide, or a combination thereof.

[0109] 22. The process of any of the preceding or following clauses, wherein the ATRP initiator comprises a-bromoisobutyryl bromide and / or a-chloroisobutyryl chloride.

[0110] 23. The process of any of the preceding or following clauses, wherein step b) comprises performing SI AGET ATRP of only acrylamide monomers, whereby the polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon product comprises a polyacrylamide homopolymer.

[0111] 24. The process of any of the preceding or following clauses, wherein step b) comprises performing SI AGET ATRP of acrylamide monomers and at least one secondary monomer, whereby the polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon product comprises a polyacrylamide co-polymer.

[0112] 25. The process of any of the preceding or following clauses, wherein the numberaverage molecular weight of the polyacrylamide is between about 30,000 g / mol and about 1 ,000,000 g / mol.

[0113] 26. The process of any of the preceding or following clauses, wherein the numberaverage molecular weight of the polyacrylamide is between about 150,000 g / mol and about 250,000 g / mol.

[0114] 27. The process of any of the preceding or following clauses, wherein the numberaverage molecular weight of the polyacrylamide is about 176,100 g / mol.

[0115] 28. The process of any of the preceding or following clauses, wherein the polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon product comprises between about 2 wt% and about 25 wt% polyacrylamide.

[0116] 29. The process of any of the preceding or following clauses, wherein the polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon product comprises between about 5 wt% and about 15 wt% polyacrylamide.

[0117] 30. The process of any of the preceding or following clauses, wherein the polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon product comprises about 11 wt% polyacrylamide.

[0118] 31. The process of any of the preceding or following clauses, wherein the polyacrylamide is in a brush configuration.

[0119] 32. A product made by the process of any of the preceding clauses.

[0120] 33. A process for removing contaminants from water, comprising: a. adding a polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon product to contaminated water; and b. allowing the polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon product to adsorb contaminants from the contaminated water.

[0121] 34. The process of any of the preceding or following clauses, wherein the contaminated water comprises mature fine tailings.

[0122] 35. The process of any of the preceding or following clauses, wherein step b. further comprises allowing the polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon product to flocculate contaminants in the contaminated water.

[0123] 36. A system for recovering contaminants from water; comprising: a pipeline to carry a supply of contaminated water; and a supply of a polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon product, to be in communication with an upstream site in the pipeline, under conditions to enable the process of any of the preceding or following clauses.

Claims

WE CLAIM:1 . A process for flocculation of mature fine tailings, comprising: a) adding a polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon product to a slurry of mature fine tailings; b) allowing the polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon product to flocculate the mature fine tailings from the slurry.

2. The process of claim 1 , wherein step a) comprises adding the polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon product to the slurry of mature fine tailings at a dosage of between about 10,000 ppm and about 22,500 ppm.

3. The process of claim 1 , wherein step a) comprises adding the polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon product to the slurry of mature fine tailings at a dosage of between about 17,500 ppm and about 22,500 ppm.

4. The process of claim 1 , wherein step a) comprises adding the polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon product to the slurry of mature fine tailings at a dosage of about 20,000 ppm.

5. The process of any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon product comprises a polyacrylamide homopolymer.

6. The process of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon product comprises a polyacrylamide co-polymer.

7. The process of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the number-average molecular weight of the polyacrylamide is between about 30,000 g / mol and about 1 ,000,000 g / mol.

8. The process of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the number-average molecular weight of the polyacrylamide is between about 150,000 g / mol and about 250,000 g / mol.

9. The process of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the number-average molecular weight of the polyacrylamide is about 176,100 g / mol.

10. The process of any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising mixing between steps a) and b).

11. A flocculant for mature fine tailings, comprising: a polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon product.

12. The flocculant of claim 11 , wherein the polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon product comprises a polyacrylamide homopolymer.

13. The flocculant of claim 11 , wherein the polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon product comprises a polyacrylamide co-polymer.

14. The flocculant of any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the number-average molecular weight of the polyacrylamide is between about 30,000 g / mol and about 1 ,000,000 g / mol.

15. The flocculant of any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the number-average molecular weight of the polyacrylamide is between about 150,000 g / mol and about 250,000 g / mol.

16. The flocculant of any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the number-average molecular weight of the polyacrylamide is about 176,100 g / mol.

17. A use of the flocculant of any one of claims 11 to 16 for flocculating mature fine tailings.

18. A use of the polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon product of any one of claims 11 to 16 in water cleaning.

19. A process for producing a polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon product, comprising: a) grafting an atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) initiator to an activated carbon product, to yield an activated carbon macroinitiator; and b) from the activated carbon macroinitiator, performing surface-initiated (SI) activators generated by electron transfer (AGET) atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of acrylamide monomers, to yield the polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon product.

20. The process of claim 19, wherein step a) comprises: i. oxidizing the activated carbon product to yield pre-functionalized sites on the activated carbon product; and ii. grafting the ATRP initiator to the pre-functionalized sites to yield the activated carbon macroinitiator.

21. The process of claim 20, wherein step i. comprises oxidizing the activated carbon product with ammonium persulfate, nitric acid, hydrogen peroxide, or a combination thereof.

22. The process of claim 20 or claim 21 , wherein the ATRP initiator comprises a- bromoisobutyryl bromide and / or a-chloroisobutyryl chloride.

23. The process of any one of claims 19 to 22, wherein step b) comprises performing SI AGET ATRP of only acrylamide monomers, whereby the polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon product comprises a polyacrylamide homopolymer.

24. The process of any one of claims 19 to 22, wherein step b) comprises performing SI AGET ATRP of acrylamide monomers and at least one secondary monomer, whereby the polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon product comprises a polyacrylamide co-polymer.

25. The process of any one of claims 19 to 25, wherein the number-average molecular weight of the polyacrylamide is between about 30,000 g / mol and about 1 ,000,000 g / mol.

26. The process of any one of claims 19 to 25, wherein the number-average molecular weight of the polyacrylamide is between about 150,000 g / mol and about 250,000 g / mol.

27. The process of any one of claims 19 to 25, wherein the number-average molecular weight of the polyacrylamide is about 176,100 g / mol.

28. The process of any one of claims 19 to 27, wherein the polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon product comprises between about 2 wt% and about 25 wt% polyacrylamide.

29. The process of any one of claims 19 to 27, wherein the polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon product comprises between about 5 wt% and about 15 wt% polyacrylamide.

30. The process of any one of claims 19 to 27, wherein the polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon product comprises about 11 wt% polyacrylamide.

31. The process of any one of claims 19 to 30, wherein the polyacrylamide is in a brush configuration.

32. A product made by the process of any one of claims 19 to 31.

33. A process for removing contaminants from water, comprising: a. adding a polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon product to contaminated water; and b. allowing the polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon product to adsorb contaminants from the contaminated water.

34. The process of claim 33, wherein the contaminated water comprises mature fine tailings.

35. The process of claim 33 or 34, wherein step b. further comprises allowing the polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon product to flocculate contaminants in the contaminated water.

36. A system for recovering contaminants from water; comprising: a pipeline to carry a supply of contaminated water; a supply of a polyacrylamide functionalized activated carbon product, to be in communication with an upstream site in the pipeline, under conditions to enable the process of any one of claims 30 to 35.

Images