Aqueous Effluent Treatment with Modified Natural Polymers
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for treating mine tailings, particularly from oil sands, are inefficient in separating and recycling water, leading to large volumes of hazardous sludge that pose environmental and regulatory challenges, as they take centuries to solidify and require extensive storage in settling ponds.
Innovation Solution
A process involving the sequential addition of anionic and cationic modified natural polymers, such as anionic guar gums and cationic starches, to treat aqueous effluents containing solid particles, facilitating the separation and recycling of water by enhancing sedimentation rates and reducing waste volume.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If settling ponds are used to store mine tailings, then the sludge can be stored, but it takes centuries to solidify and requires extensive storage space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses modified natural polymers as intermediary substances to accelerate the solidification process. These polymers act as mediators between the liquid effluent and solid tailings, promoting rapid water separation and solidification without requiring centuries of natural settling time or vast storage pond volumes.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the chemical parameters of the effluent by adding modified natural polymers with specific charge densities and molecular weights. This alters the physical-chemical properties of the mixture, enabling rapid phase separation and solidification that transforms the time and volume characteristics of the storage problem.
2Productivity
If water separation is improved to increase recycling yield, then more water can be recycled, but the separation process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
Modified natural polymers serve as intermediary agents that simplify the water separation process. Rather than employing complex mechanical separation devices or multiple treatment stages, the polymers naturally promote phase separation through their chemical properties, achieving high water recovery with a simple addition-and-settle process.
Solution Approach 2:
The modified natural polymers enable the effluent to perform self-separation without requiring complex external intervention. The polymers trigger spontaneous phase separation where water naturally separates from solid particles, eliminating the need for sophisticated separation equipment or complex operational procedures.
3Productivity
If synthetic polymers are used as coagulants or flocculants, then solids can be separated from liquid, but environmental concerns arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs biodegradable modified natural polymers that break down harmlessly after performing their separation function. Unlike persistent synthetic polymers, these natural-based agents decompose into non-toxic components, providing effective solid-liquid separation without creating long-term environmental contamination or harmful residues.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the potential harm of chemical additives into a benefit by using modified natural polymers that provide separation efficiency while simultaneously offering environmental compatibility. The polymers' natural origin and biodegradability transform what could be a harmful chemical intervention into an environmentally beneficial treatment process.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach allows for the efficient separation of up to 60% of water from mine tailings, accelerating the transformation of mature fine tailings into a solid deposit, thereby enabling effective land reclamation and reducing the volume of waste, while being environmentally friendly and cost-effective.
Implementation Method 1
adding at least one anionic modified natural polymer to the effluent, then adding at least one cationic modified natural polymer
Implementation Method 2
The anionic and cationic modified natural polymers interact electrostatically with solid particles in the effluent, causing flocculation and enhancing sedimentation
Implementation Method 3
facilitating the separation and recycling of water by enhancing sedimentation rates
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to the treatment of mine tailings in the form aqueous effluents comprising solid particles. With the process of the invention it is possible to separate all or part of the water from an aqueous effluent comprising solid particles. This process comprises (a) adding to the effluent at least one anionic modified natural polymer selected from among anionic guar gums and/or anionic starches, then (b) adding at least one cationic modified natural polymer selected from among cationic starches and/or cationic dextrans and/or cationic chitosans.The invention also relates to a composition comprising an aqueous effluent comprising solid particles treated with an anionic modified natural polymer and a cationic modified natural polymer. Preferably, it concerns a composition comprising an aqueous effluent comprising solid particles, at least one anionic modified natural polymer selected from among anionic guar gums and/or anionic starches, and at least one cationic modified natural polymer selected from among cationic starches and/or cationic dextrans and/or cationic chitosans.