POLYMERS FOR FLOCCULATION, DEWATERING AND CONSOLIDATION OF OIL SANDS FLUID FINE TAILINGS, MINE TAILINGS AND SOLID PARTICULATE SUSPENSIONS

摘要

A method of treating a solid particulate suspension, such as fluid fine tailings, to form a flocculated slurry by mixing with the suspension with a polymer having a solubility in water which is temperature responsive, having an upper critical solution temperature between about 0°C and about 80°C. The polymer may be formed from water-soluble monomer units and monomers units which are insoluble or less-soluble in water than the water- soluble monomers, When used with mature fine tailings (MFT), reclaimable MFT may be formed by dewatering the treated slurry.