مرکز منطقه ای اطلاع رساني علوم و فناوري - Electrokinetic and Sedimentation Properties of Simectic Suspensions in Some Electrolite and Polymer Solutions

Abstract :

Dewatering of tailings containing clay is an important problem in all mineral processing plants. Bentonite is a smectite group clay and commonly present in the tailings of minerals industry. Bentonites are classified as Na bentonite, mixed type bentonite (Na-Ca bentonite) and Ca bentonite. Their presence can cause very difficult dewatering, high flocculant demand, low settling rates and poor supernatant clarity. In this study, the efficiency of inorganic electrolytes and polymers used in coagulation and flocculation methods onto sedimentation and electokinetic properties of mixed type bentonite mineral suspensions is investigated. Al2(SO4)3, FeCl3, NaCl, MgCl2 and CaCl2 were used as the coagulant and anionic, cationic, nonionic polymers were used as the flocculant. The performances of the coagulant in the experimental studies were assessed with the change in the interface height during sedimentation resultant and turbidity values of treated water. Best results were obtained with Al2(SO4)3 (99% efficiency with 5,3 mm/min settling rate) at 250 mg/l concentration and anionic flocculat (97% efficiency with 47 mm/min settling rate)at 6,25 mg/l concentration in coagulation and flocculation, respectively. In combined coagulation and flocculation experiments NaCl+Anionic flocculant showed a similar efficiency (97%) and settling velocity (39 mm/min) at a lower chemical concentration (12,5 mg/l NaCl+3,75 mg/l anionic flocculant).