| abstract |
A process of concentrating an aqueous suspension of solid particles, whereby an aqueous suspension of solid particles is introduced into a vessel, an organic polymeric flocculant is added to the aqueous suspension of solid particles thereby forming flocculated solids, the flocculated solids are allowed to settle to form a bed of solids in suspension at the lower end of the vessel, and the bed of solids are flowed from the vessel as an underflow, in which a portion of the bed of solids or underflow is transferred as a recycle stream to the vessel into or above the bed of solids. Furthermore, an active agent is added to the solids in the recycle stream. The active agent is selected from free radical agents, oxidising agents and reducing agents. |