Effect of hydrodynamic conditions of the kinetics of Bentonite Suspension Flocculation by Cationic Polyelectrolytes and the strength of formed flocs

Abstract

The influence of Zetag and SNF FO cationic polyelectrolytes on the aggregation kinetics of bentonite particles in a flow system is studied in detail as a function of the dose of added polymer, charge density of its macromolecules, the regime and intensity of system stirring, and the type of stirrer (magnetic and mechanical stirrers). It is shown that there is an optimal regime, namely, the alternation of slow and rather rapid stirring, that provides the formation of the largest and strongest flocs. The rate of aggregation and the size of formed flocs increase with the amount of added reagent irrespective of the intensity of system stirring, as well as with an increase in the charge density of polyelectrolyte, which is responsible for the affinity of macromolecules for the surface. The effect of polymer charge on the flocculation kinetics is exhibited first of all upon the slow stirring of suspension. The difference in the sizes of aggregates resulted from the flocculation of macromolecules with different charges is leveled with an increase in stirring intensity. An empirical method for comparing the efficiency of the flocculating action of polymers in suspensions prepared using different types of stirrers is proposed.