METHOD FOR CONTROLLING FLOCCULANT ADDITION TO TAR SAND TAILINGS

摘要

"METHOD FOR CONTROLLING FLOCCULANTADDITION TO TAR SAND TAILINGS"ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSUREThe hot water extraction process for recovering bitumen fromtar sand produces a large volume of solids-laden aqueous tailings as awaste product. The solids in the tailings stream may be flocculated bythe addition of lime and the components of the stream then separated intoa water-free solids phase and a clarified water phase. During flocculation,the zeta potential of the stream is monitored. It rises from an initialnegative zeta potential, as the lime is added. Flocculation is terminatedwhen the zeta potential is about zero. At this point, the tailings arein optimum condition for separation into the water-free solids phase andthe clarified water phase. Separation is preferably effected by vacuumfiltration.