Report for work done in 1981
A general discussion of deliquoring operations is given as an introduction to a more complete analysis made at the University of Houston of three different types of hydraulic deliquoring. Objectives and deliquoring methods are listed. A short discussion of solid-liquid separation provides a general background in relation to the topic under consideration. Cake structure as affected by particle size and shape is discussed, The simplest method of reducing average porosity consists of increasing applied filtration pressure. Unfortunately, for compressible difficult-to-dewater materials, increasing pressure neither decreases liquid content nor increases flow rate after a usually relative low pressure is reached. For such materials the hydraulic deliquoring methods discussed in the attached thesis hold considerable promise. The three methods are reverse flow, right-angled or three-dimensional flow, and high viscosity deliquoring. Mechanical expression, deep cone thickening, dispersion, and centrifugal drainage are briefly treated.