Patent ID: 9457295
Filing Date: 2016-10-04
CPC Classification: B01D,B01J,C02F

Claim Text:
1. A mine tailings dewatering assembly, comprising: a mixing unit that is configured to receive a mine tailings slurry, which includes mine tailings, water, and a water-absorbing polymer, to combine the mine tailings slurry with the water-absorbing polymer, and to generate an augmented mine tailings slurry therefrom, wherein the mixing unit includes at least one of a transfer pipe, a static mixer, and a stirred tank; a separation assembly configured to receive the augmented mine tailings slurry, which includes the mine tailings, the water, and a swollen water-absorbing polymer, and to separate the swollen water-absorbing polymer from the augmented mine tailings slurry to produce a dewatered mine tailings slurry; and a water-absorbing polymer regeneration unit configured to receive the swollen water-absorbing polymer, to at least partially release water from the swollen water-absorbing polymer, and to produce a regenerated water-absorbing polymer therefrom.