Studying the Effect of High Molecular Flocculants on Separation of Distillation Suspension - the Main Waste of Soda Ash Production

Abstract

Distillation suspensionis a volumetric waste of soda ash production by the ammonia method which is discharged into sludge collectors(so-called “white seas”) occupying hundreds of hectares of land and requiring large investment costs for their construction and maintenance. In order to reducethe volumeof this waste, a method of filtering the distillation suspension is offered which results in formation of a clarified liquid and a solid part (cake).The effect of high molecular flocculants on the settlingacceleration of solid part ofdistillation suspension is studied. To make a comparative analysis of various flocculants during the precipitation of solid part of distillation suspension, laboratory tests were conducted. For the experiments, the following flocculants were used: Praestol, Flopam, and Besflock.In laboratory experiments, 1% solutions of flocculants were used which were subsequently diluted to the desired concentration. Proceeding from the results of laboratory tests, it was shown that the effect of flocculants on the settling process acceleration of solid part of distillation suspension was different.Thus, it is established that the use of flocculants can be recommended to intensify the separation process of the solid part of distillation suspension - the main waste of soda ash production.