ELECTROKINETICALLY ENHANCED VACUUM DEWATERING OF MINERAL SLURRIES

Vacuum dewatering of titanium oxohydrate and pyrite slurries was enhan ced electrokinetically through application of a constant DC voltage ac ross the bed. The power was applied either continuously or in an inter rupted mode, with the electrodes short-circuited during the periods of power interruption. The interrupted mode removed more water than cont inuous power, with a lower consumption of energy. Additional water cou ld be removed in the interrupted mode by adding base at the anode to n eutralise the acidity produced by the reaction at the anode when the p ower was on.