Flocculating oil sands tailings with dual anionic/cationic polymers: Dose and charge density effects

Abstract A two‐step process, with anionic hydrolyzed polyacrylamide (HPAM) and cationic poly(vinylbenzyl trimethylammonium chloride) (PVBTMAC), was used to flocculate oil sands mature fine tailings (MFT). The charge density of HPAM the dosages PVBTMAC were varied maximize dewatering MFT minimize turbidity supernatant. dual flocculant system performed better at lower doses than when alone. best for fast initial settling rate high sediment solids content 32%, but it increased 38% dewatering, as measured by capillary suction time. clearest supernatants found zeta potential approached 0 mV because neutralized surface charges particles suspended in MFT. More importantly, undiluted flocculated HPAM/PVBTMAC then filtered low‐pressure (69 kPag), resulting a filter cake 61 wt.%. This study shows that treating combination polymer is flexible way optimize flocculation performance.