WO2025170997A1 - Methods of reducing or removing solids from liquids - Google Patents

Abstract

Methods of reducing or removing solids from liquids. The methods may include contacting a liquid in which solids are suspended with a polymer and a surface active agent. The surface active agent and the polymer may act synergistically to increase settling rates of the suspended solids. A liquid subjected to the methods may be obtained from a leaching process.

Description

METHODS OF REDUCING OR REMOVING SOLIDS FROM LIQUIDS

Cross-reference to Related Applications

[0001] This application claims priority to Finnish Patent Application No. 20245378, filed March 28, 2024, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/550,940, filed February 7, 2024, which are incorporated by reference herein.

Field of the Disclosure

[0002] This disclosure relates to methods of reducing or removing solids from liquids, such as liquids obtained from leaching of ores.

Background

[0003] Solvent extraction, which may be referred to as liquid-liquid extraction or partitioning, may be used to separate a compound based on solubility, such as the solubilities of the compounds’ parts. Typically, solvent extraction relies on two liquids with no, or limited, solubility in each other, such as water and an organic liquid.

[0004] Solvent extraction processes usually include or are preceded by a leaching process, such as the leaching of ore with sulfuric acid. During these processes, a metal, such as copper, and other ions are dissolved from an ore into the acid. This process also may result in the presence of other solid particles in the mixture, especially suspended solid particles. These suspended solids typically are removed prior to solvent extraction in order to avoid or reduce the likelihood of damaging or shutting down a solid extraction and/or electrowinning unit.

[0005] Typically, nonionic polymers, such as nonionic polyacrylamide, are used for solids removal. However, normal dosage ranges of nonionic polymers usually do not achieve efficient and/or effective removal of solids.

[0006] There remains a need for improved methods of solids removal, including methods that achieve further and/or complete solids removal, and/or more efficient solids removal.

Brief Summary

[0007] Provided herein are methods of treating a fluid, including methods that achieve further and/or complete solids removal, and/or an increased settling rate of solids suspended in a liquid. In some embodiments, the polymer and the surface active agent act synergistically to increase settling rates by a surprising and unexpected extent.

[0008] In one aspect, methods of treating a fluid are provided. By treating a fluid, the methods may be a part of, or prepare a fluid for use in, a process or application, such as a solvent extraction process or other process, such as water treatment, wastewater treatment, pulp and paper processing, pulp and paper wastewater, industrial wastewater, food and beverage wastewater and water, etc. In some embodiments, the methods include providing a liquid and a plurality of solids, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of solids is suspended in the liquid; providing a polymer and a surface active agent; and contacting the liquid, the polymer, and the surface active agent to form a treated liquid. The contacting of the liquid and the polymer may commence before, may commence simultaneously with, or may be completed before the contacting of the liquid and the surface active agent. A settling rate of the plurality' of solids in the treated liquid may be increased by a surprising and unexpected extent, such as at least 10 %, or at least 25 %, relative to a settling rate achieved by an identical method performed in the absence of the surface active agent.

[0009] In a further aspect, compositions are provided. In some embodiments, the compositions include a polymer and a surface active agent, as described herein.

[0010] Additional aspects will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the aspects described herein. The advantages described herein may be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011] FIG. 1 depicts a schematic of embodiments of the methods described herein.

Detailed Description

[0012] Provided herein are methods of solids removal. In some embodiments, the methods include providing a liquid and a plurality’ of solids, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of solids is suspended in the liquid. The methods also may include contacting the liquid, a polymer, and a surfactant to form a treated liquid.

[0013] A liquid, a polymer, and a surfactant may be contacted in any manner, and in any order, such as sequentially (e.g., a liquid is contacted with at least a portion of a polymer and then at least a portion of the surfactant), simultaneously (e.g., a liquid is contacted with a mixture that includes a polymer and a surfactant), or a combination of sequentially and simultaneously. In some embodiments, the contacting of a liquid and a polymer commences or is completed before the contacting of the liquid and the surface active agent. In some embodiments, the contacting of a liquid and a polymer and the contacting of the liquid and a surface active agent commence simultaneously, such as when a polymer and a surface active agent are mixed together prior to contacting a liquid.

[0014] The contacting of a liquid and a polymer may include contacting the liquid and a portion of the polymer and then, at a later time, contacting the liquid at least one or more additional portions of the polymer, such as one, two, three, etc. additional portions. The contacting of a liquid and a surface active agent may include contacting the liquid and a portion of the surface active agent and then, at a later time, contacting the liquid and at least one or more additional portions of the surface active agent, such as one, two, three, etc. additional portions. A polymer and a surface active agent may be provided as a mixture, and the contacting of the liquid and the polymer may include contacting the liquid and at least a portion of the mixture and then, at a later time, contacting the liquid and one or more additional portions of the mixture, such as one, two, three, etc. additional portions. The methods may include agitating a liquid at any time during the methods described herein, such as before, during, and/or after the contacting of the liquid and the polymer and/or the surface active agent.

[0015] Settling Rate

[0016] Not wishing to be bound by any particular theory, it is believed that a polymer and a surface active agent may act synergistically to improve one or more characteristics of a treated liquid, such as a settling rate, by a surprising and unexpected extent.

[0017] In some embodiments, a settling rate of the plurality of solids in the liquid is increased by at least 5 %, at least 10 %, at least 20 %, at least 25 %, at least 50 %, at least 75 %, at least 100 %, at least 150 %, at least 200 %, at least 250 %, or at least 300 %, relative to a settling rate achieved with an identical method (e g., identical liquid, identical polymer and polymer dosage, identical procedure, etc.) performed in the absence of the surface active agent. For example, when a settling rate achieved by an identical method is 50 units, and the settling rate of an embodiment of a method described herein is 75 units, then the settling rate increased by 50 %.

[0018] When assessing improvement of a settling rate, the settling rate is measured by the method described at Example 1. [0019] Polymer

[0020] The polymer used in the methods described herein may include any of those known or used in the art, especially those used to remove or reduce suspended solids. In some embodiments, the polymer is a nonionic polymer. In some embodiments, the polymer includes a polyacrylamide.

[0021] A polymer may be used at any effective concentration or dosage in the methods described herein. In some embodiments, a dosage of the polymer is about 5 to about 100, about 5 to about 80, about 5 to about 60, about 5 to about 40, about 5 to about 20, about 5 to about 15, or about 10 grams per tonne (gpt).

[0022] Surface Acti ve Agent

[0023] In some embodiments, the surface active agent (i.e., surfactant) has a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) greater than 10. In some embodiments, the surface active agent has an HLB of about 12 to about 18, about 13 to about 17, about 14 to about 16, or about 15.

[0024] In some embodiments, the surface active agent is a non-ionic surfactant. In some embodiments, the surface active agent is a sorbitol based surface active agent. In some embodiments, the surface active agent is a sorbitol based ethoxylated surface active agent. In some embodiments, the surface active agent includes a polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate, polyoxyetheylene laury l ether, polyoxyethylene sorbitan monostearate, polyoxyethylene sorbitan monopalmitate, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the surface active agent may include a copolymer. The copolymer may be a block copolymer. In some embodiments, the surface active agent includes a non-ionic triblock copolymer of polyoxypropylene and polyoxyethylene, a poloxamer. polyethylene glycol, poly(D,L, lactide- co-glycolide. poly lactic acid, poly glutamic acid, poly caprolactone, or a combination thereof. The surface active agent may include a polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block copolymer. [0025] Generally, any effective dosage of a surface active agent may be used in the methods described herein. In some embodiments, a dosage of the surface active agent is about 10 to about 90, about 10 to about 90, about 10 to about 80, about 20 to about 70, about 30 to about 60. about 40 to about 60, or about 50 grams per tonne (gpt).

[0026] A polymer and a surface active agent may be present in a treated liquid at any relative amounts or concentrations. In some embodiments, after the contacting of the liquid, the polymer, and the surface active agent is complete, the polymer and surface active agent are present in the liquid at a weight ratio of about 0. 1 :5 to about 20:5. about 0.1:5 to about 15:5, about 0.1 :5 to about 10:5, about 0.1:5 to about 5:5, about 0.1 :5 to about 2:5, about 0.5:5 to about 1.5:5, or about 1 :5 (polymer : surface active agent). In some embodiments, after the contacting of the liquid, the polymer, and the surface active agent is complete, the polymer and surface active agent are present in the liquid at a weight ratio of about 0. 1 : 1.5 to about 20: 1.5, about 0.1 : 1.5 to about 15: 1.5, about 0.1: 1.5 to about 10: 1.5, about 0.1 : 1.5 to about 5: 1.5, about 0.1: 1.5 to about 2:1.5, about 0.5: 1.5 to about 1.5:1.5, or about 1: 1.5 (polymer : surface active agent).

[0027] Liquid

[0028] The liquid generally may be any liquid in which solids may be suspended.

The liquid may include water. Therefore, the liquid may be an aqueous liquid or an acidic aqueous liquid.

[0029] The liquid may be produced by one or more processes, such as a leaching process, water treatment process, wastewater treatment process, pulp and paper processing, pulp and paper wastewater treatment, industrial wastewater treatment, food and beverage wastewater or water treatment, etc. The leaching of ore, for example, may produce a liquid in which solids are suspended. Any ore (e.g., iron ore, copper ore, etc.) may be subjected to a leaching process to produce a liquid.

[0030] A concentration of suspended solids in a liquid may be modified using any known technique and/or apparatus. In some embodiments, the methods include disposing a liquid in a thickener to modify a concentration of the plurality of solids in the liquid.

[0031] The contacting of a liquid, a polymer, and a surface active agent may occur after a leaching process. The contacting of a liquid, a polymer, and a surface active agent may occur after a leaching process and before the liquid is disposed in the thickener, during or after the liquid is disposed in the thickener, or a combination thereof.

[0032] FIG. 1 depicts a schematic of embodiments of the methods described herein. The method/system 100 of FIG. 1 includes a leaching apparatus 110, a thickener 120, a clarifier 130, and a solvent extraction circuit 140, which may include one or more components known in the art. FIG. 1 also depicts two possible dosage locations 101, 102. At one or both of these dosage locations 101, 102, the polymer and the surface active agent may be dosed into a liquid, as described herein.

[0033] Solids

[0034] A plurality of solids generally may be present at any concentration when the liquid is contacted with a polymer and a surface active agent. In some embodiments, a plurality of solids includes suspended solids, and the suspended solids (total suspended solids (TSS) are present in the liquid at a concentration of about 5 wt% to about 20 wt%, or about 7 wt% to about 15 wt%, based on the total weight of the liquid and the plurality of solids. [0035] Extraction Methods

[0036] In some embodiments, the methods include providing a treated liquid produced by any of the methods described herein, wherein the treated liquid is or includes an aqueous phase, contacting the aqueous phase and an organic phase to form a mixture, and then separating the aqueous phase and the organic phase. The contacting of the aqueous phase and the organic phase, and the separating of the aqueous phase and the organic phase may be achieved by any known technique, including solvent extraction techniques known in the art.

[0037] Improved Phase Disengagement Times

[0038] In some embodiments, the methods include contacting (1) an aqueous phase, an organic phase, or a mixture of the organic phase and the aqueous phase and (2) a phase disengagement agent. For example, an aqueous phase may be contacted with all or a portion of an amount of a phase disengagement agent before and/or after the contacting of the aqueous phase and an organic phase (e.g.. an aqueous phase may be contacted with (i) a first portion of a phase disengagement agent before the contacting of the aqueous phase and an organic phase, and (ii) a second portion of a phase disengagement agent after the contacting of the aqueous phase and an organic phase). As a further example, a mixture of an aqueous phase and an organic phase may be contacted with a phase disengagement agent.

[0039] In some embodiments, the contacting of an aqueous phase and an organic phase includes mixing the aqueous phase and organic phase. Any mixing apparatus may be used to mix the aqueous phase and the organic phase. The mixing may occur for a mixing time, which may be a predetermined mixing time, and the contacting of the phase disengagement agent and the aqueous phase, the organic phase, or the mixture thereof may occur before the mixing time commences, or after at least 25 %, at least 50 %, at least 60 %, at least 70 %, at least 80 %, or at least 90 %, or after 100 % of the mixing time has transpired. For example, an aqueous phase and an organic phase may be subjected to mixing for a predetermined mixing time of one minute, and the mixture and the phase disengagement agent are contacted 30 seconds after the onset of mixing.

[0040] In some embodiments, the methods include subjecting an aqueous phase to leaching prior to the contacting of the aqueous phase and an organic phase, and the aqueous phase and the phase disengagement agent are (i) contacted after the leaching, or (ii) contacted after the leaching and before the contacting of the aqueous phase and the organic phase. As used herein, the term “leaching’" refers to and includes (i) a process or portion of a process that includes extracting a substance from a medium by dissolving the substance with a solvent or lixiviant, and (ii) bioleaching (e.g., microbial leaching), which generally includes extracting a material, such as a metal from an ore, with an organism.

[0041] In some embodiments, the separating of the aqueous phase and the organic phase is completed (z.e., complete phase separation, see Example 1) at a phase disengagement time that is at least 2 %, at least 3 %, at least 4 %. at least 5 %, at least 10 %, at least 15 %, at least 20 %, at least 25 %, at least 30 %, at least 35 %, at least 40 %, at least 45 %, at least 50 %, at least 60 %, at least 70 %, at least 80 %, at least 90 %, about 2 % to about 90 %, about 2 % to about 80 %, about 2 % to about 70 %, about 2 % to about 60 %, about 2 % to about 50 %, about 2 % to about 45 %, about 2 % to about 40 %, about 2 % to about 35 %, about 2 % to about 30 %, about 2 % to about 25 %, about 2 % to about 20 %, about 2 % to about 15 %, about 2 % to about 10 %, about 2 % to about 5 %, about 2 % to about 4 %, about 5 % to about 10 %. about 40 % to about 90 %, or about 40 % to about 80 % less than a time to separate the aqueous phase and the organic phase (z.e., achieve the same complete phase separation) in the absence of the phase disengagement agent, or in the presence of a comparable phase disengagement agent. For example, if the time to separate an aqueous phase and an organic phase in the absence of a phase disengagement agent is 100 seconds, then the contacting of the aqueous phase with a phase disengagement agent may reduce the time to separate the aqueous phase and the organic phase (z.e., the phase disengagement time) to 75 seconds or less (a reduction of at least 25 %), 70 seconds or less (a reduction of at least 30 %), etc.

[0042] An aqueous phase, an organic phase, or a mixture may be contacted with any effective amount of a phase disengagement agent. In some embodiments, a phase disengagement agent is present at an amount, relative to the aqueous phase, the organic phase, or the mixture, of about 5 ppm to about 30 ppm, about 5 ppm to about 25 ppm, about 5 ppm to about 20 ppm, about 5 ppm to about 15 ppm, about 5 ppm to about 10 ppm, about 5 ppm to about 1,000 ppm, 100 ppm to about 1,000 ppm, about 100 ppm to about 700 ppm, about 100 ppm to about 600 ppm, about 200 ppm to about 600 ppm, about 300 ppm to about 600 ppm, about 100 ppm to about 500 ppm, about 100 ppm to about 400 ppm, or about 100 ppm to about 300 ppm.

[0043] Crud Reduction

[0044] In some embodiments, the methods provided herein include providing a treated fluid obtained from any of the methods described herein, wherein the treated fluid is or is a component of an aqueous phase, contacting the aqueous phase and a crud reducing agent; and removing at least a portion of the first amount of silica from the aqueous phase to form a treated aqueous phase that includes a second amount of silica. The methods also may include contacting the treated aqueous phase and an organic phase, and separating the treated aqueous phase and the organic phase. The contacting of a treated aqueous phase and an organic phase, as described herein, may include mixing the aqueous phase and the organic phase.

[0045] The crud reducing agent may ease and/or facilitate the elimination or reduction of crud in the aqueous phase. For example, a crud reducing agent may increase the average particle size of silica-containing aggregates, thereby permitting sedimentation, increasing the rate of sedimentation, or a combination thereof. For example, the first amount of silica may be present in the aqueous phase in the form of particles having a first average particle size, as measured by dynamic light scattering, and after the contacting of the aqueous phase and the crud reducing agent (e.g., at least 5 seconds, at least 10 seconds, or at least 20 seconds after the contacting of the aqueous phase and the crud reducing agent), the first amount of silica may be present in the aqueous phase in the form of particles having a second average particle size, as measured by dynamic light scattering, and the second average particle size may be at least 2 times, at least 3 times, at least 4 times, at least 5 times, or at least 10 times greater than the first average particle size.

[0046] The removing of at least a portion of solids and/or silica, such as the first amount of silica, from the aqueous phase to form a treated aqueous phase that includes a second amount of silica may be achieved by any known technique, including conventional solid-liquid separation techniques. The technique may be an active technique, a passive technique, or a combination thereof. A "‘passive technique” relies on gravity to achieve sedimentation, whereas an ‘‘active technique” relies on at least one force other than gravity. For example, the removing of at least a portion of the first amount of silica may include centrifuging the aqueous phase, which is an “active technique”. The sedimentation, as described herein, may occur and/or have an increased rate due, at least in part, to an increased particle size of silica-containing aggregates. After sedimentation has reached a desired level, the silica, e.g., silica-containing aggregates, may be removed by any known technique, such as decanting.

[0047] In some embodiments, the first amount of silica in the aqueous phase is about 0.5 g/L to about 3 g/L. about 0.5 g/L to about 2 g/L. or about 0.5 g/L to about 1.5 g/L. In some embodiments, the second amount of silica is at least 2 %, at least 5 %, at least 10 %, at least 15 %, at least 20 %, at least 25 %, at least 30 %, at least 35 %, at least 40 %, at least 45 %, at least 50 %, at least 60 %, at least 70 %. at least 80 %, at least 85 %, at least 90 %. at least 95 %, or at least 99 % less than the first amount of silica. For example, if the first amount of silica in the aqueous phase is 2 g/L and the second amount of silica is at least 99 % less than the first amount of silica, then the second amount of silica is 0 g/L to about 0.02 g/L. [0048] An aqueous phase generally may be contacted with any effective amount of a crud reducing agent. For example, an effective amount may include a concentration less than or equivalent to the critical micelle concentration (CMC) of a crud reducing agent. In some embodiments, after the contacting of the aqueous phase and the crud reducing agent, the crud reducing agent is present in the aqueous phase at an amount of about 0.1 ppm to about 200 ppm, about 0. 1 ppm to about 180 ppm, about 0. 1 ppm to about 160 ppm, about 0. 1 ppm to about 140 ppm, about 0. 1 ppm to about 120 ppm, about 0.1 ppm to about 100 ppm, about 0. 1 ppm to about 80 ppm, about 0.1 ppm to about 60 ppm, about 0. 1 ppm to about 40 ppm, about 0. 1 ppm to about 20 ppm, about 0.1 ppm to about 12 ppm, about 1 ppm to about 10 ppm, about 2 ppm to about 10 ppm, about 3 ppm to about 10 ppm, about 4 ppm to about 10 ppm, about 5 ppm to about 10 ppm. about 6 ppm to about 10 ppm, about 7 ppm to about 10 ppm, about 8 ppm to about 10 ppm, about 9 ppm to about 10 ppm, about 2 ppm to about 8 ppm, about 3 ppm to about 7 ppm, or about 4 ppm to about 6 ppm.

[0049] When performed, the centrifuging of an aqueous phase may include subjecting the aqueous phase to an effective gravitational force equivalent (g-force), such as up to 20,000, up to 15,000, or up to 10,000. In some embodiments, the centrifuging of an aqueous phase includes subjecting the aqueous phase to a g-force of about 10 to about 8,000, about 100 to about 8,000, about 1,000 to about 8,000, about 2,000 to about 5,000, or about 3,000 to about 4,500.

[0050] The centrifuging of the aqueous phase may occur for an effective period, which may depend on one or more factors, such as incoming volume, type of centrifuge, operating parameters of the centrifuge, etc. The centrifuging of the aqueous phase may occur for a period of about 10 seconds to about 500 seconds, about 10 seconds to about 400 seconds, about 10 seconds to about 300 seconds, about 10 seconds to about 200 seconds. 10 about 10 seconds to about 120 seconds, about 20 seconds to about 100 seconds, or about 30 seconds to about 60 seconds.

[0051] Phase Disengagement Agents and Crud Reducing Agents

[0052] The phase disengagement agents and crud reducing agents may include any compound that is effective to achieve the limitations described herein. In some embodiments, the phase disengagement agent or the crud reducing agent includes a first nonionic surface active agent and optionally a second non-ionic surface active agent.

[0053] In some embodiments, the phase disengagement agent or the crud reducing agent consists of or consists essentially of the first non-ionic surface active agent and optionally the second non-ionic surface active agent, wherein “consisting essentially of’ means no other surface active agents are present that affect phase disengagement time or silica removal. In some embodiments, the phase disengagement agent and the crud reducing agent are the same, and in some embodiments the phase disengagement agent and the crud reducing agent are different in one or more ways, such as a different weight ratio of the first non-ionic surface active agent to the second non-ionic surface active agent.

[0054] The first non-ionic surface active agent may be a sorbitol based surface active agent. In some embodiments, the first non-ionic surface active agent is a sorbitol based ethoxylated surface active agent. In some embodiments, the first non-ionic surface active agent includes a polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate, poly oxy etheylene lauryl ether, polyoxyethylene sorbitan monostearate, polyoxyethylene sorbitan monopalmitate, or a combination thereof. The first non-ionic surface active agent may include a polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate. The first non-ionic surfactant may include a polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate. In some embodiments, the first non-ionic surface active agent has a weight average molecular weight of about 500 g/mol to about 5000 g/mol, about 500 g/mol to about 4000 g/mol, about 500 g/mol to about 3000 g/mol, about 500 g/mol to about 2000 g/mol, about 1000 g/mol to about 1500 g/mol, about 1100 g/mol to about 1400 g/mol, about 1200 g/mol to about 1400 g/mol, or about 1300 g/mol.

[0055] In some embodiments, the second non-ionic surface active agent may include a copolymer. The copolymer may be a block copolymer. In some embodiments, the second non-ionic surface active agent includes a non-ionic triblock copolymer of poly oxypropylene and polyoxyethylene, a poloxamer, polyethylene glycol, poly(D,L, lactide-co-glycolide, polylactic acid, polyglutamic acid, polycaprolactone, or a combination thereof. The second non-ionic surface active agent may include a polyoxy ethylene-polyoxypropylene block copolymer. In some embodiments, the polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block copolymer has a structure according to the following formula: [0057] wherein x is 2 to 150. and y is 5 to 100. In some embodiments, x and y are selected from the following table:

[0058] In some embodiments, the second non-ionic surface active agent has a weight average molecular weight of about 500 g/mol to about 5000 g/mol. about 1000 g/mol to about 4000 g/mol, about 2000 g/mol to about 4000 g/mol, about 2500 g/mol to about 3500 g/mol, about 2600 g/mol to about 3400 g/mol, about 2700 g/mol to about 3300 g/mol, about 2800 g/mol to about 3200 g/mol, about 2800 g/mol to about 3100 g/mol, about 2800 g/mol to about 3000 g/mol, or about 2900 g/mol.

[0059] When a second non-ionic surface active agent is present, the first non-ionic surface active agent and the second non-ionic surface active agent generally may be present at any weight ratio. In some embodiments, the first non-ionic surface active agent and the second non-ionic surface active agent are present in the phase disengagement agent at a weight ratio of from about 5:95 to about 45:55, about 10:90 to about 45:55. about 20:80 to about 45:55, about 25:75 to about 45:55, about 25:75 to about 40:60, or about 30:70 to about 40:60 (first non-ionic surface active agent : second non-ionic surface active agent). In some embodiments, the first non-ionic surface active agent and the second non-ionic surface active agent are present in the phase disengagement agent at a weight ratio of from about 20:80 to about 1:99, about 20:80 to about 5:95, about 15:85 to about 5:95, or about 10:90 (first non- ionic surface active agent : second non-ionic surface active agent). [0060] The phase disengagement agent or the crud reducing agent may include one or more additional surface active agents, which may be cationic, anionic, amphoteric, or nonionic. In some embodiments, the phase disengagement agent or the crud reducing agent also includes polyethylene glycol sorbitan monolaurate.

[0061] The first non-ionic surface active agent and, when present, the second nonionic surface active agent, independently, may have an HLB that is equal to or greater than 10; for example, about 10 to about 18. about 12 to about 18, about 12 to about 17, about 13 to about 16, or about 14.5 to about 15.5.

[0062] In some embodiments, (i) the phase disengagement agent and/or the crud reducing agent does not include a thiocarbonyl functional group, (ii) the aqueous phase does not include a compound comprising a thiocarbonyl functional group, or (iii) the phase disengagement agent and/or the crud reducing agent does not include a thiocarbonyl functional group, and the aqueous phase does not include a compound comprising a thiocarbonyl functional group.

[0063] Aqueous Phase

[0064] In some embodiments, the aqueous phases provided herein include water. In some embodiments, the aqueous phases provided herein include water and a material to be extracted. In some embodiments, the aqueous phases provided herein include water, a material to be extracted, and silica. The aqueous phase may include one or more suspended solids; therefore, in some instances, the aqueous phase may be referred to as a “slurry”. As a result, limitations such as “providing an aqueous phase” and “contacting the aqueous phase and a crud reducing agent” read on providing a slurry and contacting the slurry⁷ and a crud reducing agent. An aqueous phase also may include an acid, such as sulfuric acid.

[0065] The water of the aqueous phases provided herein may include deionized water. The water may be present in the aqueous phases at any effective amount. Typically, water is present in an aqueous phase at a concentration and/or amount that is greater than the concentration and/or amount of each of the other components that may be present in the aqueous phase. In some embodiments, the water is present in an aqueous phase at an amount of about 40 % to about 99.999 %, about 50 % to about 99.999 %. about 60 % to about 99.999 %, about 75 % to about 99.999 %, about 80 % to about 99.999 %, about 85 % to about 99.999 %, about 90 % to about 99.999 %, about 95 % to about 99.999 %, about 98 % to about 99.999 %, or about 99 % to about 99.999 %, by weight.

[0066] Silica may be present at any amount. In some embodiments, silica is present in the aqueous phase (e.g., prior to contacting an aqueous phase and a crud reducing agent) at an amount of about 0.5 g/L to about 3 g/L, about 0.5 g/L to about 2 g/L, or about 0.5 g/L to about 1.5 g/L. The silica may present, at least initially (e.g., prior to contact an aqueous phase and a crud reducing agent), in the aqueous phase in the form of particles having a first average particle size, as measured by dynamic light scattering.

[0067] An aqueous phase may have an acidic pH. In some embodiments, the aqueous phase has a pH that is less than or equal to 3, less than or equal to 2.5, or about 2. During and/or after the preparation of an aqueous phase, a pH of an aqueous phase may be modified, such as by reducing the pH.

[0068] The “material to be extracted” may include an element and/or compound that is extractable with the methods provided herein. In some embodiments, the material to be extracted includes one or more metals. The one or more metals may include one or more rare earth metals, one or more precious metals, or a combination thereof. The one or more metals may include copper, iron, uranium, nickel, cobalt, vanadium, molybdenum, germanium, palladium, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the metal is copper. The one or more metals may be present in the form of one or more metal-containing compounds, such as one or more metal oxides, one or more metal sulfides, one or more metal salts, such as CuSCL, FeSO i. MnSO i. CoSO4, or a combination thereof. Each material to be extracted, such as each of the one or more metals (for example, copper), may be present in the aqueous phase (before the aqueous phase and an organic phase are contacted) at an amount of about 1 g/L to about 20 g/L, about 1 g/L to about 15 g/L, about 1 g/L to about 10 g/L, about 2 g/L to about 8 g/L, or about 3 g/L to about 6 g/L.

[0069] Organic Phase

[0070] In some embodiments, the organic phases provided herein include an organic liquid. In some embodiments, the organic phases provided herein include an organic liquid and an extraction reagent. Typically, an organic liquid is present in an organic phase at a concentration and/or amount that is greater than the concentration and/or amount of each of the other components that may be present in the organic phase.

[0071] As used herein, the phrase “organic liquid” refers to a compound that (i) is in the liquid phase at 20 °C and 1 atmosphere, (ii) has no or limited (i.e., < 10 mg/L) solubility in water, and (iii) has a chemical formula featuring carbon and hydrogen, wherein carbon and hydrogen, in total, constitute at least 70 %, at least 80 %, at least 90 %, at least 95 %, or 100 % of the molecular weight of the compound. Non-limiting examples of organic liquids include alkanes, alkenes, and alkynes, each of which may be linear, branched, cyclic (e.g., aromatic), or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the organic liquid includes an oil. such as kerosene, diesel, or other fuel oil.

[0072] In some embodiments, the organic liquid is present in the organic phase at an amount of about 75 % to about 100 %, about 75 % to about 98 %, about 80 % to about 95 %, or about 85 % to about 95 %, by volume.

[0073] Generally, any extraction reagent know n in the art may be included in an organic phase, including those that are commercially available. In some embodiments, the extraction reagent includes an aromatic moiety. In some embodiments, the extraction reagent includes an aromatic substituted oxime. An extraction reagent may be present at any effective amount. In some embodiments, the extraction reagent is present in the organic phase at an amount of about 2 % to about 30 %. about 2 % to about 25 %, about 2 % to about 20 %, about 5 % to about 20 %, or about 5 % to about 15 %, by volume.

[0074] EMBODIMENTS

[0075] The following is a non-limiting list of embodiments.

[0076] Embodiment 1. A method of treating a fluid, the method comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of (a) providing a liquid and a plurality of solids, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of solids is suspended in the liquid; (b) providing a polymer; (c) providing a surface active agent (i. e.. surfactant); and (d) contacting the liquid, the polymer, and the surface active agent to form a treated liquid, wherein, optionally, the treated liquid is subjected to a solvent extraction process.

[0077] Order of Contacting Elements

[0078] Embodiment 2. The method of Embodiment 1, wherein the contacting of the liquid and the polymer commences or is completed before the contacting of the liquid and the surface active agent.

[0079] Embodiment 3. The method of Embodiment 1, wherein the contacting of the liquid and the polymer and the contacting of the liquid and the surface active agent commence simultaneously.

[0080] Embodiment 4. The method of Embodiment 3, wherein the polymer and the surface active agent are provided as a mixture of the polymer and the surface active agent.

[0081] Additional Procedural Elements

[0082] Embodiment 5. The method of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the contacting of the liquid and the polymer comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of contacting the liquid and a portion of the polymer and then, at a later time, contacting the liquid at least one or more additional portions of the polymer.

[0083] Embodiment 6. The method of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the contacting of the liquid and the surface active agent comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of contacting the liquid and a portion of the surface active agent and then, at a later time, contacting the liquid and at least one or more additional portions of the surface active agent.

[0084] Embodiment 7. The method of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the polymer and the surface active agent are provided as a mixture, and the contacting of the liquid and the polymer comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of contacting the liquid and at least a portion of the mixture and then, at a later time, contacting the liquid and one or more additional portions of the mixture.

[0085] Embodiment 8. The method of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the method further comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of agitating the liquid before, during, and/or after the contacting of the liquid and the polymer and/or the surface active agent.

[0086] Effect of Methods

[0087] Embodiment 9. The method of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein a settling rate of the plurality of solids in the liquid is increased by at least 5 %, at least 10 %, at least 15 %. at least 20 %, at least 25 %, at least 50 %, at least 75 %, at least 100 %. at least 150 %, at least 200 %, at least 250 %, or at least 300 %, relative to a settling rate achieved with an identical method (e.g., identical liquid, identical polymer and polymer dosage, identical procedure, etc.) performed in the absence of the surface active agent. (For example, if a settling rate of about 35 m/h is achieved by a process without the surface active agent, and a settling rate of about 70 m/h is achieved by an identical process that employs the surface active agent, then the settling rate was increased about 100 %.)

[0088] Polymer

[0089] Embodiment 10. The method of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the polymer is a nonionic polymer.

[0090] Embodiment 11. The method of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the polymer comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a polyacry lamide.

[0091] Embodiment 12. The method of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein a dosage of the polymer is about 5 to about 100, about 5 to about 80, about 5 to about 60, about 5 to about 40, about 5 to about 20, about 5 to about 15, or about 10 grams per tonne (gpt). [0092] Surface Active Agent

[0093] Embodiment 13. The method of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the surface active agent has a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) of about 12 to about 18, about 13 to about 17, about 14 to about 16, or about 15.

[0094] Embodiment 14. The method of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the surface active agent comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of (A) a sorbitol based surface active agent. (B) a sorbitol based ethoxylated surface active agent, (C) a polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate, polyoxyetheylene lauryl ether, polyoxyethylene sorbitan monostearate, polyoxyethylene sorbitan monopalmitate, or a combination thereof, (D) a copolymer, such as a block copolymer, or (E) a non-ionic triblock copolymer of polyoxypropylene and polyoxyethylene, a poloxamer. polyethylene glycol. poly(D,L, lactide- co-glycolide, polylactic acid, poly glutamic acid, poly caprolactone, or a combination thereof.

[0095] Embodiment 15. The method of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein a dosage of the surface active agent is about 10 to about 100, about 10 to about 90, about 10 to about 80. about 20 to about 70, about 30 to about 60, about 40 to about 60, or about 50 grams per tonne (gpt).

[0096] Embodiment 16. The method of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein, after the contacting of the liquid, the polymer, and the surface active agent is completed, the polymer and surface active agent are present in the liquid at a weight ratio of about 0. 1:5 to about 5:5, about 0.1 :5 to about 2:5, about 0.5:5 to about 1.5:5, about 1:5, about 0.1 : 1.5 to about 20: 1.5, about 0.1 : 1.5 to about 15: 1.5, about 0. 1 : 1.5 to about 10:1.5, about 0.1 : 1.5 to about 5: 1.5, about 0.1: 1.5 to about 2: 1.5, about 0.5: 1.5 to about 1.5: 1.5, or about 1:1.5 (polymer : surface active agent).

[0097] Liquid

[0098] Embodiment 17. The method of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the providing of the liquid comprises leaching an ore, which produces a pregnant leach solution, wherein the pregnant leach solution is or is a component of the liquid.

[0099] Embodiment 18. The method of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the providing of the liquid comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of leaching an ore to produce a pregnant leach solution (PLS), and disposing the pregnant leach solution in a thickener to modify a concentration of the plurality of solids; wherein optionally contacting of the liquid, the polymer, and the surface active agent occurs after the leaching and before the pregnant leach solution is disposed in the thickener, during or after the pregnant leach solution is disposed in the thickener, or a combination thereof. [0100] Embodiment 19. The method of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the ore comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a copper ore.

[0101] Embodiment 20. The method of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the liquid is an aqueous liquid or an acidic aqueous liquid.

[0102] Solids

[0103] Embodiment 21. The method of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the plurality of solids comprises, consists essentially of. or consists of suspended solids, and the suspended solids (total suspended solids (TSS)) are present in the liquid at a concentration of about 0. 1 wt% to about 20 wt%, about 5 wt% to about 20 wt%, or about 7 wt% to about 15 wt%, based on the total weight of the liquid and the plurality of solids.

[0104] Methods of Solvent Extraction

[0105] Embodiment 22. A method of solvent extraction, the method comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of:

[0106] (A) providing an aqueous phase comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of the treated liquid of any of the preceding embodiments; contacting the aqueous phase and an organic phase to form a mixture; contacting (i) the aqueous phase, the organic phase, or the mixture and (ii) a phase disengagement agent; or

[0107] (B) providing an aqueous phase comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of the treated liquid of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the treated liquid comprises a material to be extracted; contacting the aqueous phase and an organic phase to form a mixture, wherein the organic phase comprises an organic liquid and optionally an extraction reagent; contacting (i) the aqueous phase, the organic phase, or the mixture and (ii) a phase disengagement agent; or

[0108] (C) providing an aqueous phase comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of the treated liquid of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the aqueous phase comprises a material to be extracted and silica; contacting the aqueous phase and an organic phase to form a mixture, wherein the organic phase comprises an organic liquid and optionally an extraction reagent; contacting (i) the aqueous phase, the organic phase, or the mixture and (ii) a phase disengagement agent; and separating the aqueous phase and the organic phase; or

[0109] (D) providing an aqueous phase comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of the treated liquid of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the aqueous phase comprises a material to be extracted and a first amount of silica; contacting the aqueous phase and a crud reducing agent; removing at least a portion of the first amount of silica from the aqueous phase to form a treated aqueous phase comprising a second amount of silica, wherein the removing of at least a portion of the first amount of silica from the aqueous phase comprises an active technique, such as centrifugation, a passive technique, or a combination thereof; contacting the treated aqueous phase and an organic phase, wherein the organic phase comprises an organic liquid and optionally an extraction reagent; contacting the treated aqueous phase and a phase disengagement agent (i) before the contacting of the treated aqueous phase and the organic phase, or (ii) after the contacting of the treated aqueous phase and the organic phase; and separating the treated aqueous phase and the organic phase.

[0110] Embodiment 23. The method of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the separating of the aqueous phase (or treated aqueous phase) and the organic phase is completed at a phase disengagement time that is at least 2 %, at least 3 %, at least 4 %. at least 5 %, at least 10 %, at least 15 %, at least 20 %, at least 25 %, at least 30 %, at least 35 %, at least 40 %, at least 45 %, at least 50 %, at least 60 %, at least 70 %, at least 80 %, at least 90 %, about 2 % to about 90 %, about 2 % to about 80 %, about 2 % to about 70 %, about 2 % to about 60 %, about 2 % to about 50 %, about 2 % to about 45 %. about 2 % to about 40 %, about 2 % to about 35 %. about 2 % to about 30 %, about 2 % to about 25 %, about 2 % to about 20 %, about 2 % to about 15 %, about 2 % to about 10 %, about 2 % to about 5 %, about 2 % to about 4 %, about 5 % to about 10 %, about 40 % to about 90 %, or about 40 % to about 80 % less than a time to separate the aqueous phase (or treated aqueous phase) and the organic phase in the absence of the phase disengagement agent, or in the presence of a comparable phase disengagement agent.

[OHl] Embodiment 24. The method of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the contacting of the aqueous phase (or treated aqueous phase) and the organic phase comprises mixing the aqueous phase (or treated aqueous phase) and organic phase.

[0112] Embodiment 25. The method of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the mixing occurs for a mixing time, which may be a predetermined mixing time, and the contacting of the aqueous phase (or treated aqueous phase) and the phase disengagement agent occurs before the mixing time commences, or after at least 25 %, at least 50 %, at least 60 %, at least 70 %, at least 80 %. or at least 90 %, or after 100 % of the mixing time has transpired.

[0113] Embodiment 26. The method of any of the preceding embodiments, further comprising subjecting the aqueous phase (or treated aqueous phase) to leaching prior to the contacting of the aqueous phase (or treated aqueous phase) and the organic phase, wherein the aqueous phase (or treated aqueous phase) and the phase disengagement agent are contacted after the leaching and before the contacting of the aqueous phase (or treated aqueous phase) and the organic phase.

[0114] Embodiment 27. The method of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the phase disengagement agent comprises, consists of, or consists essentially of at least two surface active agents.

[0115] Embodiment 28. The method of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein (i) the phase disengagement agent does not include a thiocarbonyl functional group, (ii) the aqueous phase does not include a compound comprising a thiocarbonyl functional group, or (iii) the phase disengagement agent does not include a thiocarbonyl functional group, and the aqueous phase does not include a compound comprising a thiocarbonyl functional group.

[0116] Embodiment 29. The method of any of the preceding embodiments, (i) wherein the phase disengagement agent is present at an amount, relative to the aqueous phase (or treated aqueous phase), the organic phase, or the mixture of about 0. 1 ppm to about 30 ppm, 1 ppm to about 30 ppm, about 5 ppm to about 30 ppm, about 5 ppm to about 25 ppm, about 5 ppm to about 20 ppm, about 5 ppm to about 15 ppm, about 5 ppm to about 10 ppm, about 10 ppm to about 30 ppm, about 15 ppm to about 30 ppm. about 20 ppm to about 30 ppm, about 25 ppm to about 30 ppm, about 1 ppm to about 20 ppm, or about 1 ppm to about 10 ppm; or (ii) wherein the phase disengagement agent is present at an amount, relative to the aqueous phase (or treated aqueous phase), of about 5 ppm to about 1,000 ppm, 100 ppm to about 1,000 ppm, about 100 ppm to about 700 ppm. about 100 ppm to about 600 ppm. about 200 ppm to about 600 ppm, about 300 ppm to about 600 ppm, about 100 ppm to about 500 ppm, about 100 ppm to about 400 ppm, or about 100 ppm to about 300 ppm.

[0117] Embodiment 30. A method of solvent extraction, the method comprising providing the treated liquid of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the treated liquid is or is a component of an aqueous phase comprising water, a material to be extracted, and a first amount of silica; contacting the aqueous phase and a crud reducing agent; and removing at least a portion of the first amount of silica from the aqueous phase to form a treated aqueous phase comprising a second amount of silica, wherein the removing of at least a portion of the first amount of silica from the aqueous phase comprises an active technique, such as centrifugation, a passive technique, or a combination thereof.

[0118] Embodiment 31. The method of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the second amount of silica is at least 2 %, at least 5 %, at least 10 %. at least 15 %, at least 20 %, at least 25 %, at least 30 %, at least 35 %. at least 40 %, at least 45 %, at least 50 %. at least 60 %, at least 70 %, at least 80 %, at least 85 %, at least 90 %, at least 95 %, or at least 99 % less than the first amount of silica.

[0119] Embodiment 32. The method of any of the preceding embodiments, further comprising contacting the treated aqueous phase and an organic phase, wherein the organic phase comprises an organic liquid and optionally an extraction reagent; and separating the treated aqueous phase and the organic phase.

[0120] Embodiment 33. The method of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the contacting of the treated aqueous phase and the organic phase comprises mixing the treated aqueous phase and organic phase.

[0121] Embodiment 34. The method of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the removing of the at least a portion of the first amount of silica from the aqueous phase comprises centrifuging and decanting the aqueous phase.

[0122] Embodiment 35. The method of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein (i) the crud reducing agent does not include a thiocarbonyl functional group, or (ii) the aqueous phase does not include a compound comprising a thiocarbonyl functional group. [0123] Embodiment 36. The method of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the crud reducing agent does not include a thiocarbonyl functional group, and the aqueous phase does not include a compound comprising a thiocarbonyl functional group.

[0124] Embodiment 37. The method of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein after the contacting of the aqueous phase and the crud reducing agent, the crud reducing agent is present in the aqueous phase at an amount (i) that is less than or equivalent to the critical micelle concentration (CMC) of a crud reducing agent, or (ii) of about 0. 1 ppm to about 200 ppm, about 0. 1 ppm to about 180 ppm, about 0. 1 ppm to about 160 ppm, about 0.1 ppm to about 140 ppm, about 0. 1 ppm to about 120 ppm, about 0.1 ppm to about 100 ppm, about 0. 1 ppm to about 80 ppm, about 0. 1 ppm to about 60 ppm, about 0. 1 ppm to about 40 ppm, about 0. 1 ppm to about 30 ppm, about 0.1 ppm to about 25 ppm, about 0. 1 ppm to about 20 ppm, about 0.1 ppm to about 15 ppm, about 0.1 ppm to about 12 ppm, about 1 ppm to about 10 ppm, about 2 ppm to about 10 ppm, about 3 ppm to about 10 ppm, about 4 ppm to about 10 ppm. about 5 ppm to about 10 ppm, about 6 ppm to about 10 ppm, about 7 ppm to about 10 ppm, about 8 ppm to about 10 ppm, about 9 ppm to about 10 ppm, about 2 ppm to about 8 ppm, about 3 ppm to about 7 ppm, or about 4 ppm to about 6 ppm.

[0125] Embodiment 38. The method of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the centrifuging of the aqueous phase comprises subjecting the aqueous phase to a gravitational force equivalent (g-force) up to 20,000, up to 15,000, or up to 10,000; for example, about 10 to about 8,000, about 100 to about 8,000, about 1,000 to about 8,000, about 2,000 to about 5,000, or about 3,000 to about 4.500.

[0126] Embodiment 39. The method of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the centrifuging of the aqueous phase occurs for an effective period, which may depend on one or more factors, such as incoming volume, type of centrifuge, operating parameters of the centrifuge, etc.

[0127] Embodiment 40. The method of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the water is present in the aqueous phase (or treated aqueous phase) at a concentration and/or amount that is greater than the concentration and/or amount of each of the other components that may be present in the aqueous phase (or treated aqueous phase).

[0128] Embodiment 41. The method of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the water is present in the aqueous phase at an amount of about 40 % to about 99.999 %, about 50 % to about 99.999 %, about 60 % to about 99.999 %, about 75 % to about 99.999 %, about 80 % to about 99.999 %, about 85 % to about 99.999 %, about 90 % to about 99.999 %, about 95 % to about 99.999 %, about 98 % to about 99.999 %, or about 99 % to about 99.999 %, by weight.

[0129] Embodiment 42. The method of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the aqueous phase (or treated aqueous phase) has a pH that is less than or equal to 3, less than or equal to 2.5, or about 2.

[0130] Embodiment 43. The method of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the material to be extracted comprises one or more metals.

[0131] Embodiment 44. The method of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the one or more metals comprise (i) one or more rare earth metals, one or more precious metals, or a combination thereof; (ii) copper, iron, uranium, nickel, cobalt, vanadium, molybdenum, germanium, palladium, or a combination thereof; or (iii) copper.

[0132] Embodiment 45. The method of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the one or more metals are present in the form of one or more metal-containing compounds, such as one or more metal oxides, one or more metal sulfides, one or more metal salts, such as CuSO4, FeSO4, nSCh. CoSO4, or a combination thereof.

[0133] Embodiment 46. The method of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein each of the one or more metals is present in the aqueous phase (before the aqueous phase (or treated aqueous phase) and an organic phase are contacted) at an amount of about 1 g/L to about 20 g/L, about 1 g/L to about 15 g/L. about 1 g/L to about 10 g/L, about 2 g/L to about 8 g/L, or about 3 g/L to about 6 g/L. [0134] Embodiment 47. The method of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein (i) the silica is present in the aqueous phase at an amount of about 0.5 g/L to about 3 g/L, about 0.5 g/L to about 2 g/L, or about 0.5 g/L to about 1.5 g/L, or (ii) the first amount of silica in the aqueous phase is about 0.5 g/L to about 3 g/L, about 0.5 g/L to about 2 g/L, about 0.5 g/L to about 1.5 g/L.

[0135] Embodiment 48. The method of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein (i) the silica is present in the aqueous phase in the form of particles, or (ii) the first amount of silica is present in the aqueous phase in the form of particles having a first average particle size, as measured by dynamic light scattering.

[0136] Embodiment 49. The method of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein, after the contacting of the aqueous phase and the crud reducing agent (e.g.. at least 5 seconds, at least 10 seconds, or at least 20 seconds after the contacting of the aqueous phase and the crud reducing agent), the first amount of silica is present in the aqueous phase in the form of particles having a second average particle size, as measured by dynamic light scattering, wherein the second average particle size is at least 2 times, at least 3 times, at least 4 times, at least 5 times, or at least 10 times greater than the first average particle size of Embodiment 27.

[0137] Embodiment 50. The method of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the phase disengagement agent or the crud reducing agent comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a first non-ionic surface active agent and optionally a second non-ionic surface active agent.

[0138] Embodiment 51. The method of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the first non-ionic surface active agent comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of (A) a sorbitol based surface active agent, (B) a sorbitol based ethoxylated surface active agent. (C) a polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate, polyoxyetheylene lauryl ether, polyoxyethylene sorbitan monostearate, polyoxyethylene sorbitan monopalmitate, or a combination thereof. [0139] Embodiment 52. The method of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the second non-ionic surface active agent comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of (A) a copolymer, such as a block copolymer, or (B) a non-ionic triblock copolymer of polyoxypropylene and polyoxyethylene, a poloxamer, polyethylene glycol, poly(D,L, lactide- co-glycolide, polylactic acid, polyglutamic acid, polycaprolactone, or a combination thereof. [0140] Embodiment 53. The method of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the first non-ionic surface active agent and the second non-ionic surface active agent are present in the phase disengagement agent at a weight ratio of from about 5:95 to about 45:55, about 10:90 to about 45:55, about 20:80 to about 45:55, about 25:75 to about 45:55, about

25:75 to about 40:60, about 30:70 to about 40:60, about 20:80 to about 1:99, about 20:80 to about 5:95, about 15:85 to about 5:95, or about 10:90 (first non-ionic surface active agent : second non-ionic surface active agent). [0141] Embodiment 54. The method of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the first non-ionic surface active agent comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of a polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate.

[0142] Embodiment 55. The method of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the phase disengagement agent or the crud reducing agent further comprises, consists essentially of, or consists of polyethylene glycol sorbitan monolaurate.

[0143] Embodiment 56. The method of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the polyethylene glycol polypropylene glycol block copolymer has a structure according to the following formula: [0145] wherein x is 2 to 150, and y is 5 to 100.

[0146] Embodiment 57. The method of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein x and y are selected from the following table: [0147] Embodiment 58. The method of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the first non-ionic surface active agent and the second non-ionic surface active agent, independently, have an HLB that is equal to or greater than 10; for example, about 10 to about 18, about 12 to about 18, about 12 to about 17, about 13 to about 16, or about 14.5 to about 15.5.

[0148] Embodiment 59. The method of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the first non-ionic surface active agent has a weight average molecular weight of about 500 g/mol to about 5000 g/mol, about 500 g/mol to about 4000 g/mol, about 500 g/mol to about 3000 g/mol, about 500 g/mol to about 2000 g/mol, about 1000 g/mol to about 1500 g/mol, about 1100 g/mol to about 1400 g/mol, about 1200 g/mol to about 1400 g/mol. or about 1300 g/mol; and wherein the second non-ionic surface active agent has a weight average molecular weight of about 500 g/mol to about 5000 g/mol, about 1000 g/mol to about 4000 g/mol, about 2000 g/mol to about 4000 g/mol, about 2500 g/mol to about 3500 g/mol, about 2600 g/mol to about 3400 g/mol, about 2700 g/mol to about 3300 g/mol, about 2800 g/mol to about 3200 g/mol, about 2800 g/mol to about 3100 g/mol. about 2800 g/mol to about 3000 g/mol, or about 2900 g/mol.

[0149] Embodiment 60. The method of any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the first non-ionic surface active agent and the second non-ionic surface active agent, independently, have a weight average molecular weight (M_w) of about 0.2 kDa to about 100 kDa, about 0.5 kDa to about 100 kDa, about 0.2 kDa to about 80 kDa, about 0.2 kDa to about 60 kDa, about 0.2 kDato about 40 kDa, about 0.2 kDa to about 20 kDa, about 0.2 kDa to about 10 kDa, about 0.2 kDa to about 5 kDa, about 0.2 kDa to about 2 kDa, about 1 kDa to about 2 kDa, about 1 kDa to about 1.5 kDa, or about 1.2 kDa to about 1.4 kDa.

[0150] Embodiment 61. The method of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the organic liquid is present in the organic phase at an amount of about 75 % to about 100 %, about 75 % to about 98 %, about 80 % to about 95 %, or about 85 % to about 95 %, byvolume.

[0151] Embodiment 62. The method of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the extraction reagent is present in the organic phase at an amount of about 2 % to about 30 %, about 2 % to about 25 %, about 2 % to about 20 %, about 5 % to about 20 %, or about 5 % to about 15 %. by volume. [0152] Embodiment 63. The method of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the organic liquid comprises an alkane, an alkene, an alkyne, or combination thereof, each of which may be linear, branched, cyclic, or a combination thereof.

[0153] Embodiment 64. The method of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the organic liquid includes an oil, such as kerosene, diesel, or other fuel oil.

[0154] Embodiment 65. A composition comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of a polymer of any of the preceding embodiments, and a surface active agent of any of the preceding embodiments.

[0155] All referenced publications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Furthermore, where a definition or use of a term in a reference, which is incorporated by reference herein, is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply.

[0156] While certain aspects of conventional technologies have been discussed to facilitate disclosure of various embodiments, applicants in no way disclaim these technical aspects, and it is contemplated that the present disclosure may encompass one or more of the conventional technical aspects discussed herein.

[0157] The present disclosure may address one or more of the problems and deficiencies of known methods and processes. However, it is contemplated that various embodiments may prove useful in addressing other problems and deficiencies in a number of technical areas. Therefore, the present disclosure should not necessarily be construed as limited to addressing any of the particular problems or deficiencies discussed herein.

[0158] In this specification, where a document, act or item of knowledge is referred to or discussed, this reference or discussion is not an admission that the document, act or item of knowledge or any combination thereof was at the priority date, publicly available, known to the public, part of common general knowledge, or otherwise constitutes prior art under the applicable statutory’ provisions; or is known to be relevant to an attempt to solve any problem with which this specification is concerned.

[0159] In the descriptions provided herein, the terms ‘'includes,” “is,” “containing,” “having,” and “comprises” are used in an open-ended fashion, and thus should be interpreted to mean “including, but not limited to.” When methods are claimed or described in terms of “comprising” various steps or components, the methods can also “consist essentially of’ or “consist of’ the various steps or components, unless stated otherwise. [0160] The terms “a,” "an." and “the” are intended to include plural alternatives, e.g., at least one. For instance, the disclosure of “a surface active agent”, “an organic liquid”, and the like, is meant to encompass one, or mixtures or combinations of more than one surface active agent, organic liquid, and the like, unless otherwise specified.

[0161] Various numerical ranges may be disclosed herein. When Applicant discloses or claims a range of any type, Applicant’s intent is to disclose or claim individually each possible number that such a range could reasonably encompass, including end points of the range as well as any sub-ranges and combinations of sub-ranges encompassed therein, unless otherwise specified. Moreover, all numerical end points of ranges disclosed herein are approximate. As a representative example, Applicant discloses, in some embodiments, that the extraction reagent is present in the organic phase at an amount of about 5 % to about 15 %, by volume. This range should be interpreted as encompassing about 5 % and about 15 %, and further encompasses “about” each of 6 %, 7 %, 8 %, 9 %, 10 %, 11 %, 12 %, 13 %, and 14 %, including any ranges and sub-ranges between any of these values.

[0162] As used herein, the term “about” means plus or minus 10 % of the numerical value of the number with which it is being used.

[0163] EXAMPLES

[0164] The present invention is further illustrated by the following examples, which are not to be construed in any way as imposing limitations upon the scope thereof. On the contrary, it is to be clearly understood that resort may be had to various other aspects, embodiments, modifications, and equivalents thereof which, after reading the description herein, may suggest themselves to one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention or the scope of the appended claims. Thus, other aspects of this invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein.

[0165] Example 1 - Testing of Solids Removal

[0166] In this example, a leach slurry was divided and treated in the following ways to assess solids removal. Many flotation/leach processes are run at solids concentrations of at least 30 wt%, but settling usually is most efficient at solids concentrations of about 7 % to about 15 %, by w eight. As a result, slurries are usually diluted in a feed-well of a thickener. Therefore, the slurry was diluted in the following test. The slurry was split into 6 cylinders (1 L) (2 x control cylinders, and 2 x test cylinders). The cylinders were filled with slurry to the 1 L mark.

[0167] To the two reference cylinders, a calculated dose of non-ionic polyacrylamide was added.

[0168] To the remaining cylinders, a calculated dose of surface active agent was added. The surface active agent of this example was a polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate. [0169] The slurries were then vigorously agitated in the cylinders using a plunger (i.e., 5 full-length strokes from the surface of the slurry to the bottom of the cylinder).

[0170] Sixty seconds were allowed to pass before adding non-ionic polyacrylamide to the cylinders for settling. The adding and dosing of the incumbent flocculant continued in the test cylinders. The solids were then resuspended with the plunger. A first dose (normally 50%) was added in an attempt to simulate a polymer being added to a feed line of a thickener. The slurries were then mixed by stroking the plunger rapidly (± Is per stroke - normally 8 plunger strokes). The second dose was added in an attempt to simulate the polymer being added to a feed well. The slurries were then mixed by stroking the plunger slowly (>8s per stroke - normally 3 gentle plunger strokes). Timing was started when the plunger was removed. Using a second timer or by calculation, the duration of the fall of interface/ mudline was noted as it passed from the 900 mL to the 700 mL marks on the graduated cylinder.

After a fixed period, NTU/TSS (nephelometric turbidity unit /total suspended solids) (normally after 10 minutes) was determined.

[0171] The results of this example are depicted in the following table.

[0172] These results indicated that a polymer dosage of 10 gpt achieved a settling rate of only 35.27 m/h in the absence of the surface active agent, but the surface active agent synergistically improved the settling rate of a polymer dosage of 10 gpt to 121.19 m/h, which well exceeded the settling rate observed for a 30 gpt dosage of the polymer. [0173] Moreover, Test No. 1 produced a supernatant that was visibly clearer that those produced by the comparative tests.

Claims

Claims:

1. A method of treating a fluid prior to solvent extraction, the method comprising: providing a liquid and a plurality of solids, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of solids is suspended in the liquid; providing a polymer and a surface active agent; and contacting the liquid, the polymer, and the surface active agent to form a treated liquid; wherein a settling rate of the plurality of solids in the treated liquid is increased by at least 10 %, relative to a settling rate achieved by an identical method performed in the absence of the surface active agent; wherein the polymer is present in the treated liquid at a concentration of about 5 to about 100 grams per tonne (gpt); and wherein, optionally, a weight ratio of the polymer to the surface active agent in the treated liquid is about 0. 1:5 to about 5:5 (polymer : surface active agent).

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the contacting of the liquid, the polymer, and the surface active agent comprises (i) contacting the liquid and at least a portion of the polymer before contacting the liquid and the surface active agent, or (ii) contacting the liquid, the polymer, and the surface active agent simultaneously.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the contacting of the liquid, the polymer, and the surface active agent comprises (i) contacting the liquid and a portion of the polymer and then, at a later time, contacting the liquid at least one or more additional portions of the polymer, (ii) contacting the liquid and a portion of the surface active agent and then, at a later time, contacting the liquid and at least one or more additional portions of the surface active agent, or (iii) a combination thereof.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing of the polymer and the surface active agent comprises providing a mixture comprising the polymer and the surface active agent; and wherein the contacting of the liquid, the polymer, and the surface active agent comprises contacting the liquid and at least a portion of the mixture and then, at a later time, contacting the liquid and one or more additional portions of the mixture.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing of the liquid comprises leaching an ore to produce a pregnant leach solution, and optionally disposing the pregnant leach solution in a thickener to modify a concentration of the plurality of solids, wherein the liquid comprises the pregnant leach solution.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the contacting of the liquid, the polymer, and the surfactant occurs (i) after the leaching and before the liquid is disposed in the thickener, (ii) during or after the liquid is disposed in the thickener, or (iii) a combination thereof.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the polymer comprises a nonionic polymer, and wherein the surface active agent has a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) of about 12 to about 18.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the polymer comprises a polyacrylamide, and/or wherein the surface active agent comprises a nonionic surface active agent.

9. A method of solvent extraction, the method comprising: providing the treated liquid of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the treated liquid is or is a component of an aqueous phase comprising water and a material to be extracted; contacting the aqueous phase and an organic phase to form a mixture, wherein the organic phase comprises an organic liquid and optionally an extraction reagent; contacting (i) the aqueous phase, the organic phase, or the mixture, and (ii) a phase disengagement; and separating the aqueous phase and the organic phase; wherein the separating of the aqueous phase and the organic phase is completed at a phase disengagement time that is at least 2 % less than a time to separate the aqueous phase and the organic phase in the absence of the phase disengagement agent, wherein the phase disengagement agent comprises a first non-ionic surface active agent, or the first non-ionic surface active agent and a second non-ionic surface active agent.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the phase disengagement agent is present at an amount of about 1 ppm to about 400 ppm, relative to the mixture.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the first non-ionic surface active agent has a weight average molecular weight of about 500 g/mol to about 5000 g/mol.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the second non-ionic surface active agent has a weight average molecular weight of about 500 g/mol to about 5000 g/mol.

13. A method of solvent extraction, the method comprising: providing the treated liquid of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the treated liquid is or is a component of an aqueous phase comprising water, a material to be extracted, and a first amount of silica; contacting the aqueous phase and a crud reducing agent; and removing at least a portion of the first amount of silica from the aqueous phase to form a treated aqueous phase comprising a second amount of silica; wherein the second amount of silica is at least 20 % less than the first amount of silica, wherein the crud reducing agent comprises a first non-ionic surface active agent, or the first non-ionic surface active agent and a second non-ionic surface active agent, wherein the first non-ionic surface active agent comprises a sorbitol based surface active agent, wherein the second non-ionic surface active agent comprises a copolymer, and wherein when the second non-ionic surface active agent is present, the first non-ionic surface active agent and the second non-ionic surface active agent are present in the crud reducing agent at a weight ratio of from about 20:80 to about 5:95 (first non-ionic surface active agent : second non-ionic surface active agent).

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising: contacting the treated aqueous phase and an organic phase, wherein the organic phase comprises an organic liquid and optionally an extraction reagent: and separating the treated aqueous phase and the organic phase.

5. The method of claim 13, wherein the first non-ionic surface active agent has a weight average molecular weight of about 500 g/mol to about 5000 g/mol, and wherein the second non-ionic surface active agent, when present, has a weight average molecular weight of about 500 g/mol to about 5000 g/mol.