The shape factors of china clay-polyacrylamide suspensions

Abstract

The average floc radii of china clay-polyacrylamide suspensions were calculated from sedimentation rates by using the standard hindered setting equations.

The shape factors of the flow spaces of the suspensions have been calculated and their effect on the sedimentation of the suspensions is discussed. The shape factors are found to be constant for a given clay suspension concentration and to be independent of the ionic nature of the polyacrylamides used to flocculate the clay.

The average floc radii have been determined by using the calculated shape factors and the results are compared with the floc radii as calculated by using the standard hindered settling equations.

A method is proposed for calculating the floc radii from one sedimentation experiment and its reproducibility is discussed.