Electro-kinetic Solutions, Inc.

Dpra Canada Incorporated

Doug Kimzey

James Micak

Robert C Parrott

Paul Garcia

Bruce S Beattie

Gregory J Smith

Barna Szabados

Ed Hanna

Thomas M Kroll, Jr

Steven Spencer

Ben Harris

Clare Armstrong

An adaptive electrokinetic dewatering system for dewatering slurry and soil deposits, including tailings deposits and a control system therefor. The control system automatically determines an optimal applied power specification, including sets of power parameters to be applied to the deposit being dewatered and when to apply each set of power parameters during the electrokinetic dewatering process. Furthermore, the control system automatically adjusts the applied power specification throughout the course of the dewatering process to account for the changing properties of the deposit. The control system determines the applied power specifications and adjustments to be made to them by simulating the electrokinetic dewatering process using a simulator which incorporates the latest measurements of the electrical, physical and chemical properties of the deposit being dewatered. The control system uses the simulator to forecast the dewatering performances of alternative applied power specifications and selects and applies the alternative applied power specification having a forecast dewatering performance that satisfies one or more switching criteria set by an operator.

Control system and an adaptive electrokinetic dewatering system incorporating same for dewatering tailings

A method is provided of treating liquid tailings using electro-kinetics by creating a variable voltage between two electrodes in the tailings. Flocculation and water release from the tailings is induced by establishing an electrical field between the two electrodes. The electrodes are connected to an electrical power source having the variable voltage to create a cathode and an anode. Compacting the flocculation solids and removing further water released from the compacting solids allows for the creation of a compacted material having a desired load bearing capacity.

Electrokinetic process for consolidation of oil sands tailings

There is a method of facilitating the consolidation of fine tailings through the application of an electrical current. The fine tailings include a combination of at least some water and some clay particles. Electrodes are placed into contact with the fine tailings. An AC voltage with a DC offset is applied to the electrodes to separate water from the clay particles and to induce movement of the separated water to a collection area. The separated clay particles can consolidate more readily than unseparated clay particles. In an embodiment, the fine tailings are mixed fine oil sands extraction tailings which include residual hydrocarbons. In an embodiment, the application of an AC voltage with a DC offset across the electrodes includes applying an AC voltage of about 1 V/cm and a DC offset of about &#xbd; V/cm.

Method and apparatus for treating tailings using an AC voltage with a DC offset

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Knoxville, TN, United States of America

Doug Kimzey