BIOSORBENTS FOR REMOVAL OF CONTAMINANTS FROM WASTE/OIL SAND PROCESS-AFFECTED WATER (OSPW) AND CONSOLIDATION OF OIL SANDS TAILINGS

摘要

Methods of using modified keratin to remove trace metals and/or napthenic acids from a waste water stream are described. The waste water stream may be mature or fine fluid tailings from oil sands operations, and the methods may include the removal of trace metals, naphthenic acids with simultaneous consolidation of the tailings. The keratin may be modified to unfold the keratin, disrupt disulphide bonding, add functional groups, and/or maintain or stabilize the unfolded configuration.