METHOD OF PRODUCING SAPROPEL CONCENTRATE Russian patent published in 1999 - IPC

FIELD: mining and processing of minerals; may be used in cleaning water reservoirs from sapropel deposits and its fullest utilization with production of concentrates. SUBSTANCE: method includes mining of hydraulic mixture from sapropel deposit with formation of trenches through its entire depth and dewatering of hydraulic mixture. Intake nozzle on suction hose of suction-tube dredger is lowered into deposit to depth at least equalling the thickness of sapropel upper layer - zone of living the organisms of water reservoir. Trench is formed by moving of hose with nozzle using temporary slots with movable coming together walls and pumping out of sapropel hydraulic mixture below the upper layer of deposit, and gradual lowering of this layer and movable hose with nozzle down to the deposit bottom. Sucked sapropel hydraulic mixture is directed through pressure line for dewatering to plant of continuous action with separation and drying. The method ensures preservation of ecology on locality and vital activity in water reservoir due to preservation of medium of living of bottom organisms. EFFECT: improved quality of concentrate due to increased content of organic components and fuller and efficient utilization of other inorganic components of sapropel. 3 cl, 4 dwg