Executive Summary
Since its inception, the Florida Institute of Phosphate Research (FIPR) has been pursuing an economical, practical, and environmentally-sound technique for dewatering phosphatic clays. In-house research has shown that when small amounts of fibrous materials and flocculant are mixed with a phosphatic clay slurry, very rapid dewatering of the clays occurs. The clay solids form a mass that continues to release water when pressed. Clay solids content of up to 25% can be obtained by simply rolling the clay mass on a screen. After squeezing or pressing the mass, solids contents of up to 50% can be obtained.
This report consists of two parts. Part one gives a chronological account of the development work leading to a new process for rapidly dewatering waste slurries, particularly phosphatic clays (FIPR/DIPR). Part two reports on an evaluation of different disposal options using the developed process or a modified version of it.
Hassan El-Shall - University of Florida