Abstract
Bentonite is a well-known type of clay and the mineralogical and physio-chemical characterization of its suspensions is essential to be investigated. In this study, the mineralogical and Physio-chemical characterization of the nano-porous structure of four industrial-grade bentonite samples namely, B1, B2, B3 and B4 were investigated to determine their mineralogical properties for a specific industrial application. Instrumental analyses of samples using XRD, XRF and BET were investigated along with laboratory tests including swelling and sediment indices, surface area and cation exchange capacity as well in order to select the appropriate sample. XRF along with slurry pH shows alkali metal ions. The results indicate B4 has calcite impurity, 50 cP viscosity reading at 600 r/min, 6 value for yield point/plastic viscosity ratio and 39.05 wt% residue of diameter greater than 75 μm. B3 is the most suitable sample for water-based fluid utilization compared to B1, B2 and B4, which satisfies the best standard requirements.
Highlights
Two different definitions are put forward by geologists for the word clay: the first refers to soil with particles smaller than 0.004 mm while another better known mineralogical term refers to a group of fine minerals with particular chemical composition
As far as swelling characteristics is concerned in physio-chemical behavior of bentonite, it may be classified into two groups of swelling and nonswelling bentonites, both of which are being used in widely in various industries offering unique properties, including expandable layers, layer charge, base exchange capacity, thin flakes, surface area, absorption capacity, swelling capacity, viscosity and thixotropic (Chang and Leong, 2014)
The maximum (85.94 m2/g) and minimum (36.02 m2/g) surface areas are associated with samples B1 and B4, respectively
Summary
Two different definitions are put forward by geologists for the word clay: the first refers to soil with particles smaller than 0.004 mm while another better known mineralogical term refers to a group of fine minerals with particular chemical composition. Bentonite is a clay mineral from smectite group with montmorillonite (Zhang et al, 2015) being the dominant phase comprising of one octahedral sheet sandwiched between two tetrahedral ones (Fig. 1). As far as swelling characteristics is concerned in physio-chemical behavior of bentonite, it may be classified into two groups of swelling (sodium) and nonswelling (calcium) bentonites, both of which are being used in widely in various industries offering unique properties, including expandable layers, layer charge, base exchange capacity, thin flakes, surface area, absorption capacity, swelling capacity, viscosity and thixotropic (Chang and Leong, 2014). The suitability of several local industrial types of bentonite has been investigated for this application according to OCMA and API standards by obtaining data regarding their yields, plastic viscosity, residues, and screen analyses. We have tried to emphasize on employing data regarding supplementary dry screen analysis in understanding size distribution and characterization of bentonite samples in this study
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