Factors Influencing Flocculation and Precipitation. Influence of Initial Particle Size

Abstract

It has been found that the following properties of flocculated suspensions of bentonite are dependent upon initial degree of dis persion : (a) the shape and form of the floc produced; and conse quently, (b). the rate of settling of the dispersed phase through a given distance; (c) the extent to which the particle charge is low ered by a fixed amount of coagulating agent; (d) the adsorbability and solubility effect.A general equation has been developed for the type of "com pression settling" observed here, which has been shown to be ap plicable to these data.Some of the physical properties of the suspending media have been studied, and it has been suggested that still other variable factors (possibly changes of surface phase), which should be in vestigated, have an integral part in the flooculation process.The various factors studied are discussed as to their influence on flocculation, and previously observed sedimentation behavior of similar suspensions is explainable on the basis of the conclusions drawn.