Studies on Flocculation of Egyptian Kaolin Suspensions by Anionic Polyacrylamide in the Presence of Surfactants

Fatma H. Abd El-Rahiem

doi:10.3139/113.100240

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Studies on Flocculation of Egyptian Kaolin Suspensions by Anionic Polyacrylamide in the Presence of Surfactants

Fatma H. Abd El-Rahiem

Published/Copyright: May 8, 2013

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From the journal Tenside Surfactants Detergents Volume 42 Issue 2

Abstract

This papers reports the results of studies on flocculation of kaolin suspension by anionic polyacrylamide (PAM-A) flocculants in the presence of surfactant. They were namely anionic Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate (SDS), cationic Cetyl Trimethyl Ammonium Bromide (CTAB) and a non-ionic surfactant of polyoxyethylenic ether with trade name Triton (TX 100). The adsorption of PAM-A for fresh kaolin as well as surfactant pretreatment kaolin corresponding to about 50% coverage on the surface. Pretreatment of kaolin with all three surfactants form bigger flocs with PAM-A. The highest settling rate is obtained by flocculation the SDS-pretreatment kaolin. The influence of simultaneous addition of PAM-A and surfactants from their mixtures on flocculation is dependent on the nature of mutual interaction of PAM-A and surfactant. Simultaneous addition of PAM-A with either SDS or TX 100 increases settling rate, whereas it decreases when added from its mixture with CTAB.

On the other hand, the optimum dose of PAM-A and 0.2 g/kg SDS-pretreatment preconcentrate El-Tih Egyptian kaolin is applied. The flocculation product a kaolin concentrate of minimum TiO₂ content (0.27%) and the degree of whiteness (93.5) is obtained from TiO₂ content (1.52%) and the degree of whiteness (63) of the original.

Kurzfassung

Die vorliegende Arbeit berichtet über die Ergebnisse einer Studie von der Flockung ägyptischer Kaolinsuspensionen mit anionischem Polyacrylamid (PAM-A) als Flockungsmittel in Gegenwart von Tensiden. Verwendet wurde anionisches Natriumdodecylsulfat (SDS), kationisches Cetyl-Trimethyl-Ammonium-Bromid (CTAB) und als nichtionisches Tensid ein Polyoxyethylenether mit Handelsnamen Triton (TX 100). Die Adsorption von PAM-A für frisches Kaolin sowie für mit Tensid vorbehandeltes Kaolin entspricht ungefähr einer Abdeckung von 50% der Oberfläche. Bei einer Vorbehandlung des Kaolins mit allen drei Tensiden bilden sich mit PAM-A größere Flocken. Die höchste Absetzrate erhält man durch Flockung mit SDS vorbehandeltem Kaolin. Der Einfluss auf die Flockung bei gleichzeitiger Zugabe von Mischungen aus PAM-A und Tensiden ist abhängig von der Art der gegenseitigen Wechselwirkungen zwischen dem PAM-A und den Tensiden. Die gleichzeitige Zugabe von PAM-A, entweder mit SDS oder mit TX 100, erhöht die Absetzrate, während sie bei Zugabe aus deren Mischungen mit CTAB abnimmt.

Andererseits wird die Optimaldosierung von PAM-A mit einem 0,2 g/kg SDS vorbehandelten Vorkonzentrat von ägyptischem EL-Tih-Kaolin angewendet. Das Flockungsprodukt, einem Kaolinkonzentrat mit einem Mindestgehalt von 0,27% TiO₂ und einem Weißgrad von 93,5, erhält man bei einem TiO₂-Gehalt von 1,52% und einem Weißgrad von 63 des Originals.

Keywords:: Flocculation; kaolin suspension; surfactants; Anionic polyacrylamide

Schlüsselwörter: Flockung; Kaolin-Suspension; Tenside; anionisches Polyacrylamid

¹Dr. Fatma H. Abd El-Rahiem, Central Metallurgical R & D Institute P. O. Box: 87 Helwan Cairo, Egypt E-mail: rababrashad2003@yahoo.com

Dr. Fatma Hassan Abd El-Rahiem was born in 1958. His position is Prof. Assistant and his work topic is mineral processing.

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Received: 2004-9-13

Published Online: 2013-05-08

Published in Print: 2005-04-01

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https://doi.org/10.3139/113.100240

Keywords for this article

Flocculation; kaolin suspension; surfactants; Anionic polyacrylamide