Effects of polyethylenimine dosages and molecular weights on flocculation, rheology and consolidation behaviors of kaolin slurries

Abstract

There is a lack of literature explaining effects of polyethylenimine (PEI) flocculants on the flocculation and consolidation behaviors of kaolin slurries. In this study, effects of dosages and molecular weights (Mw) of branched PEI polymers on the flocculation, rheology and consolidation aspects of 8wt% Unimin kaolin slurries at pH8 are investigated by conducting yield stress, sedimentation and shear (raking) measurements. Behaviors were supported by zeta potential, particle sizing, turbidity analyses and cryogenic scanning electron microscopy (cryoSEM) imaging, relating to dominant inter-aggregate forces and floc microstructures that governed slurry behaviors. With the addition of low PEI dosages at 0.04 dry weight percentages (dwb%) and 0.004dwb%, inter-aggregate forces and thus rheological and consolidation behaviors of kaolin slurries were similar to that when no PEI was added. This is attributed to the insufficient amounts and adsorptions of PEI particles onto kaolin particles at low PEI dosages. However, with high PEI dosages of 0.4dwb% added, yield stress peaks were significantly higher and solids content obtained were lower compared to slurries without PEI flocculants. This is due to polymer bridging interactions and/or polymer–polymer chain attractions between PEI segments as dominant inter-aggregate forces that resulted in the formation of strong and voluminous flocs, affecting the slurry consolidation and rheological behaviors at high PEI dosages. Unlike PEI dosages, variations in branched PEI Mw caused negligible effects on these behaviors. A correlation is established between PEI dosages, flocculation mechanisms, inter-aggregate forces, floc microstructures and rheological and consolidation behaviors of Unimin kaolin slurries.