Electrokinetic dewatering of phosphatic clay suspensions

摘要

Various examples are provided for electrokinetic dewatering of e.g., phosphatic clay suspensions. In one example, among others, a system includes a separation chamber including an anode and a cathode extending ends of the separation chamber and a power supply configured to energize the anode and the cathode to establish an electric field. An inlet at one end of the separation chamber can supply a dilute feed suspension and an outlet at another end of the separation chamber can remove supernatant water. The electric field can consolidate solids in the dilute feed suspension. Consolidated solids may be removed by a removal mechanism. In another example, a method includes supplying a dilute feed suspension including suspended solids, establishing an electric field to consolidate solids, and removing supernatant water.