Flocculation of Na-montmorillonite by electrolytes

Abstract
The flocculation of a Na-montmorillonite suspension by Na, Ca, and Al chlorides was investigated using the optical absorbance method. The flocculation of the clay was found to be irreversible with a degree of irreversibility that increases with electrolyte concentration. The flocculation values of Na, Ca and Al chlorides were found to be equal to 8, 0·25 and 0·032 mmol/l respectively. The ratio of the flocculation values of the different salts is in reasonable agreement with the ratio predicted by current theories of colloid stability.

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