APPLICATION OF THE METHOD OF FOCCULATION AND SELECTIVE FLOCCULATION METHODS IN THE TREATMENT OF INDUSTRIAL SLUDGE FROM THE IRON ORE CONCENTRATION PROCESS

Abstract

The paper presents research on the use of flocculation and selective flocculation methods in the treatment of industrial sludge, generated in the processing of iron ore minerals. The large quantity of fine sized sludge disposed as final waste still contains a relatively high concentration of iron minerals, as well as quartz and clay minerals, as tailings. It is both an environmental and an economic problem. In both cases it is useful to use flocculants to accelerate settling of fine particles. The action of flocculants, which accelerate settling, can be selective or non-selective. The research was aimed at determining the conditions under which selectivity can be achieved when using some commercial flocculants.