Flocculation and sedimentation of slow settling mud and mud cake conditioning : final report 2012/056

Abstract

The project aimed to improve the flocculation and sedimentation of slow settling mud, and reduce the pol/moisture content of mill mud by: Identifying key parameters which are associated with difficult to clarify soils; Identifying processes to improve the clarification of poor quality cane; and Identifying a strategy to condition filter cake that is difficult to process. The project seeks to realize its objective by conducting physico-chemical assessment of different soils from cane fields reported to produce juices that are difficult to clarify. Results from the assessment will be used to identify an additive/process that can be used to bring about particle aggregation and improved settling of the floc particles. Permeability and compressibility parameters of mud cake obtained from the difficult to clarify soils will be conducted using a custom-built laboratory mud cake former.