Patent ID: 8097167

Claim:
A process of concentrating an aqueous suspension of solid particles comprising mineral particles, the process comprising the steps of: (i) adding at least one organic polymeric flocculant to the suspension thereby, wherein said organic polymeric flocculant is a nonionic or anionic polymer having an intrinsic viscosity of at least 4 dl/g formed from (meth)acrylic or (meth)acrylamide monomers, (ii) forming flocculated solids, and (iii) allowing the flocculated solids to settle forming a layer of solids and a more concentrated suspension, wherein an effective amount of an agent is applied to the suspension prior to or substantially simultaneously with adding the organic polymeric flocculent and/or the organic polymeric flocculant is added to the suspension in a vessel and the agent is applied to the suspension in the same vessel, wherein the agent is a peroxide oxidizing agent, and wherein the agent brings about a reduction in yield stress of the layer of solids at least 10% below the yield stress of a layer of solids at an equivalent solids content without the addition of the agent, and an increase in aqueous liquid released from said layer.