BigPatents India

A method of and apparatus for removing a slurry having shear-thinning visco-plastic rheological properties from a reservoir containing a body of the slurry of such high viscosity that removal is impractical by conventional means, such as gravity flow or suction. The method comprises creating a region of shear-thinned slurry in a submerged part of the body of slurry to entrain adjacent slurry of high viscosity, and then removing a portion of the reduced viscosity slurry permanently from the reservoir. The region of shear-thinned slurry may be produced by recirculating slurry from a submerged part of the reservoir and subjecting it to high shear before returning it to the reservoir to create a flow of slurry of reduced viscosity through the body. The apparatus provides conduits and a shear-generating device communicating with the reservoir and an outlet conduit for slurry permanently withdrawn from the reservoir. Drawing sheets. 02 Total Pages: 24 (FIG.-01)