INFLUENCE OF SOME NON-IONIC SURFACTANTS AND FLOCCULANTS ON STABILITY OF DILUTED DISPERSIONS OF KAOLIN AND HYDRO-MICA

Abstract

The influence of some non-ionic surfactants and flocculants on aggregation and sedimentation stability of diluted dispersions of the argillaceous minerals has been investigated. This influence can be caused by some changes in physicochemical nature of the particles surface because of the surface adsorption layer formation. The substances with a branched structure of the molecules can disaggregate the dispersed phase particles, which causes a rise in the sedimentation stability of suspensions. The substances with a linear structure of molecules promote aggregation of particles, which leads to the opposite effect on the sedimentation stability.The interaction between particles is also affected by their size distribution. The wider this distribution is, the weaker the interaction between particles is. This effect is mainly caused by a smaller number of big particles, which can be packed in a volume unit and by some hydrodynamic effects, which result in flowing of smaller particles around the bigger ones with flux of liquid. The interaction between bigger and smaller particles ensures the most effective separation of disperse phase.The results can be applied to the enhancement of technologies of natural and waste waters treatment and cleaning from clay-like particles or used in the mineral raw materials refining and concentration.