Liquid purification or separation – Processes – Making an insoluble substance or accreting suspended...
Patent
1994-04-19
1995-10-10
Hruskoci, Peter A.
Liquid purification or separation
Processes
Making an insoluble substance or accreting suspended...
210711, 210714, 210727, 210208, C02F 152
Patent
active
054568447
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention relates to a process and an apparatus for batch treatment of liquors.
International patent applications PCT/AU88/00303 and PCT/AU90/00059 in the name of Golconda Engineering and Mining Services Pty Ltd disclose a process (hereinafter referred to as the "Golconda process") for separating suspended solids from liquors which is based on the addition of an inert particulate carrier and a polyelectrolyte flocculent to the liquors.
The applicant has developed a series of processes for treating a wide range of liquors. These processes include, inter alia, the treatment of aqueous liquors to remove soluble silica and the treatment of emulsions to separate the components of the emulsions. The processes developed by the applicant include the use of particulate material which is added to the liquors with a polyelectrolyte flocculent.
In a general sense the Golconda process and the processes developed by the applicant are concerned with separating one or more components of a liquor from the liquor by the use of particulate material (which is described hereinafter for the purpose of consistency as "inert particulate carrier").
The Golconda process and the processes developed by the applicant are suitable for operation on a continuous basis and a batch basis. However, in relation to batch operation, there is no known cost effective and efficient process and apparatus for batch treatment of liquors in accordance with the Golconda process and the processes developed by the applicant and such processes in general.
An object of the present invention is to provide a process and an apparatus for batch treatment of liquors in accordance with processes such as the Golconda process and processes developed by the applicant.
According to the present invention there is provided a process for batch treatment of a liquor to separate a component from the liquor, comprising:
(a) mixing together in a batch vessel prescribed amounts of the liquor, an inert particulate carrier, and a flocculent, under conditions selected to optimise separation of the component from the liquor, to form floccs of the component of the liquor, the inert particulate carrier and the flocculent that will settle towards the base of the batch vessel;
(b) allowing the floccs to settle towards the base of the batch vessel so that the contents of the batch vessel separate into a bottom layer of floccs and a top layer of liquor which is relatively free of the component;
(c) draining a portion of the top layer of liquor from the batch vessel;
(d) breaking the bonding effect of the floccs;
(e) allowing the inert particulate carrier separated from the floccs to settle so that there is formed a bottom layer of inert particulate carrier and a top layer of sludge comprising the component and flocculent residue; and
(f) draining the sludge from the inert particulate carrier.
The term "liquor" as used herein is understood to include aqueous and non-aqueous liquids. In this regard, it is noted that the term "liquor" as used herein is understood to include mixtures of aqueous and non-aqueous liquors, such as emulsions. In addition, it is noted that the term "liquor" as used herein is understood to include aqueous and non-aqueous liquors, and mixtures thereof, which contain contaminants:
(a) in dissolved form;
(b) in particulate form suspended in the liquid phase(s); and/or
(c) in colloidal form.
The term "inert" as used herein in relation to "particulate carrier" is understood to mean that the particulate carrier is not substantially attacked by the liquor. In other words, the term "inert" means that the particulate carrier exhibits both suitable chemical and physical stability in the liquor.
It is preferred that the flocculent is a polyelectrolyte flocculent.
The term "polyelectrolyte flocculent" as used herein is understood to mean any suitable cationic, non-ionic and anionic flocculent.
The selected conditions to optimise separation of the component from the liquor will vary depending on the component and the particular treatment process. In this regard
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patent: 4927543 (1990-05-01), Bablon et al.
patent: 4997573 (1991-03-01), Browne
patent: 5039428 (1991-08-01), Wentzler et al.
Hruskoci Peter A.
Modern Environmental Service Trust
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