Characterization of a bentonite and its permanent aqueous suspension

Abstract

A bentonite sample taken from Reşadiye (Tokat/Turkey) deposite was mixed with distilled water. The formed permanent aqueous suspension was separated by decantation from the flocculated solid fraction. The deflocculated mass percent of the bentonite was evaluated almost 60% by weighing. The bentonite and its permanently suspended solid fraction are examined by using X-ray diffraction, chemical, thermal, cation exchange, and particle size analyses. Mineralogy and chemical composition of the samples were discussed with respect to the experimental results. A sodium rich aluminum, iron and magnesium smectite was determined as the major clay mineral in the bentonite and also illite as minor one. Clinoptilolite, plagioclase, quartz, opal-CT, calcite, magnesite, and dolomite are the nonclay minerals found in the bentonite as impurities. The suspension contains large amount sodium rich smectite and plagioclase whereas lesser opal-CT. Particle size of the bentonite and deflocculated fraction was found to be lesser than 11 µm and 2 µm, respectively.

Keywords

• : Bentonite,Cation exchange capacity,Mineralogy,Smectite

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