Flocculant composition for dewatering solids laden slurries

1. A solid composition suitable for absorbing water and flocculating fine particles from a solids-containing slurry containing fine particles in suspension in an aqueous phase, comprising:

a) a fibrous cellulosic component comprising at least one of wood particles or paper particles present in an amount of 50 to 90% by weight based on the weight of the solid composition;

b) a superabsorbent polymer present in an amount of 5 weight percent or more based on the weight of the solid composition; and

c) a flocculating agent.

2. The solid composition of claim 1 , wherein the fibrous cellulosic component is present in an amount of from 70 to 90 weight percent based on the weight of the solid composition.

3. The solid composition of claim 1 , wherein the superabsorbent polymer is present in an amount of from 5 to 25 weight percent relative to the total weight of the solid composition.

4. The solid composition of claim 1 , wherein the superabsorbent polymer is a crosslinked polyacrylamide polymer.

5. The solid composition of claim 1 , wherein the flocculant is present in an amount of from 0.05 to 2 weight percent.

6. The solid composition of claim 1 , wherein the flocculant comprises an anionic linear polyacrylamide polymer.

7. The solid composition of claim 1 , which is in the form of pellets or granules.

8. The solid composition of claim 1 , which further comprises at least one surfactant.

9. A process for preparation of a solid composition of claim 1 , comprising mixing ingredients a), b), c), and optionally further ingredients, and granulating, flaking, pelletizing, or any combination thereof.

10. The solid composition of claim 1 , wherein the cellulosic component consists of wood fibers.

11. The solid composition of claim 1 , which is in the form of a granulate, agglomerate, pellet, or extrudate.

12. The solid composition of claim 1 , wherein the solid composition is in the form of particles having a mean size of 0.1 mm to 10 mm.

13. The solid composition of claim 1 , further comprising an inorganic particulate component.

14. The solid composition of claim 1 , further comprising a surfactant in an amount of from 0.01 to about 5 weight percent based on the total weight of the solid composition.

15. The solid composition of claim 1 , which, when added to a solids-containing slurry, flocculates fine particles, absorbs water, and forms a solid layer on top of the solids-containing slurry.

16. The solid composition of claim 1 , wherein the superabsorbent polymer is a crosslinked polymer.

17. The solid composition of claim 1 , wherein the amount of fibrous cellulosic component is from 83-87 weight percent.

18. The solid composition of claim 17 , wherein the superabsorbent polymer is present in an amount of from 5-18 weight percent.

19. A process for reducing the volume of an aqueous phase in wet or moist fly ash and flocculating particles suspended in the aqueous phase, comprising adding a solid composition of claim 1 and allowing at least a portion of the aqueous phase to solidify.

20. A process for reducing the volume of an aqueous phase in an aqueous slurry, and also flocculating particles suspended in the aqueous phase, comprising adding a solid composition of claim 1 to the slurry.

21. The process of claim 20 , wherein the amount of the solid composition added to the slurry is effective to reduce suspended solids in the aqueous phase to a level where the aqueous phase appears to be visually clear.

22. A solid composition suitable for absorbing water and flocculent fine particles from a solids-containing slurry containing fine particles in suspension in an aqueous phase, consisting of:

a) a fibrous cellulosic component containing paper particles and/or wood particles in an amount of from 50 to 90% by weight based on the total weight of the solid composition;

b) a superabsorbent polymer in an amount of 5 weight percent or more based on the weight of the solid composition;

c) a flocculating agent;

d) optionally, a surfactant; and

e) optionally, an inorganic particulate.