Carbonaceous Fines Beneficiation Using Micro-Algae and Related Processes

Abstract

A method is provided for the treatment of water containing micro-algae wherein the water is contacted with carbonaceous fines to adsorb micro-algae onto particles of the carbonaceous fines. The carbonaceous fines may be coal or charcoal fines or mixtures thereof. The carbonaceous fines may be pre-treated to remove any unsuitable or valuable materials therefrom; or to produce suitable size ranges of particles for one or more purposes selected from facilitating adsorption; handling of the carbonaceous fines both before and after adsorption of the micro-algae; and separation of the carbonaceous fines with adsorbed micro-algae thereon. The method may target the beneficiation of carbonaceous fines and the carbonaceous fines together with the adsorbed microalgae thereon may be subjected to an agglomeration process for the production of agglomerates such as briquettes or pellets. The method may target the upgrading of a polluted water system in a commercial water treatment process.

1 - 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A method for the beneficiation of carbonaceous fines comprising contacting carbonaceous fines with micro-algae in water under conditions that permit adsorption of micro-algae onto particles of carbonaceous fines and separating carbonaceous fines together with adsorbed micro-algae thereon from the water wherein the carbonaceous fines are loaded with microalgae adsorbed thereon to an amount from 1% to 25% algae by weight of the carbonaceous fines and subjecting the carbonaceous fines together with adsorbed micro-algae to an agglomeration process for the production of agglomerates of the resultant admixture. 
     
     
         16 . A method as claimed in  claim 15  in which the carbonaceous fines are coal fines. 
     
     
         17 . A method as claimed in  claim 15  in Which the carbonaceous fines are pre-treated to produce at least one predetermined size range of particles for at least one purpose selected from facilitating adsorption of the microalgae onto the carbonaceous fines; facilitating handling of the carbonaceous fines both before and after adsorption of the micro-algae; and facilitating separation of the carbonaceous fines with adsorbed micro-algae thereon from the water. 
     
     
         18 . A method as claimed in  claim 15  in which contacting of the carbonaceous fines with microalgae takes place by forming a slurry of the carbonaceous fines in water containing the microalgae. 
     
     
         19 . A method as claimed in  claim 18  in which the slurry is subjected to electrochemical flocculation either during or after the micro-algae has become adsorbed onto the carbonaceous fines. 
     
     
         20 . A method as claimed in  claim 15  in which the carbonaceous fines are loaded with microalgae adsorbed thereon to an amount of from 2% to 15% by weight. 
     
     
         21 . A method as claimed in  claim 20  in which the carbonaceous fines are loaded with microalgae adsorbed thereon to an amount of from 5 to 10% by weight. 
     
     
         22 . A method as claimed in  claim 15  in which the agglomerates are tailored for specific purposes and include additional ingredients that are added prior to or during the agglomeration process. 
     
     
         23 . A method as claimed in  claim 15  in which the carbonaceous fines contain tines of different carbonaceous materials including two or more of coal, charcoal and coke. 
     
     
         24 . A method as claimed in  claim 15  in which the method involves the harvesting of micro-algae cultivated in water in commercial photo-bioreactor systems specifically to reclaim and upgrade waste carbonaceous fines by agglomerating admixtures of carbonaceous fines and micro-algae biomass. 
     
     
         25 . The product of a method as claimed in  claim 15 . 
     
     
         26 . The product of a method as claimed in  claim 24 . 
     
     
         27 . A method as claimed in  claim 15  in which the agglomerates of the resultant admixture are cured by heating them. 
     
     
         28 . A method as claimed in  claim 27  in which the agglomerates of the resultant admixture are cured by heating them to temperatures in the range of from about 50° C. to about 150° C.