DEWATERING OF PARTICULATE MATERIALS UTILIZING HIGHLY WATER-ABSORPTIVE POLYMER

A study has been carried out on the application of a highly water-absorptive polymer to dewatering, utilizing its water absorptivity, water retentivity and swelling properties. The method has been applied to coal, clay, activated sludge, and metal plating sludge. Dewatering was performed employing simple methods and simple apparatus, but the results obtained were as good as or better than centrifugal dewatering. Regeneration of the polymer is one of the most important problems in this method: if no regeneration process is established, application will be limited to special cases. If technology can be established to control absorption and desorption of water, dewatering using highly water-absorptive polymers will probably be put to practical use. Application to high-value materials, sensitive to heat or stress, will be most promising.