Study on the aggregation behavior of kaolinite particles in the presence of cationic, anionic and non-ionic surfactants.

Aggregation behaviors of kaolinite particles with different surfactants were studied in this paper. Aggregation settling yield and fractal dimension analysis were used to determine the aggregation results. Zeta potential measurements, adsorption tests, Infrared spectroscopy analysis and scanning electron microscope measurements were conducted for further investigation into the mechanism.

Hydrophobic aggregation of fine particles in high muddied coal slurry water.

The hydrophobic aggregation of fine particles in high muddied coal slurry water in the presence of four quaternary ammonium salts of 1231(dodecyl trimethyl ammonium chloride), 1431(tetradecyl trimethyl ammonium chloride), 1631(cetyl trimethyl ammonium chloride) and 1831(octadecyl trimethyl ammonium chloride) was investigated through the measurement of contact angles, zeta potentials, aggregation observation, adsorption and sedimentation. The results show that quaternary ammonium salts can enhance the hydrophobicity and reduce the electronegativity of particle surface, and thus induce a strong hydrophobic aggregation of slurry fine particles which promotes the settlement of coal slurry water. The adsorption of quaternary ammonium salts on slurry particles increases with the increase of alkyl chain length and reagent dosage, and will reach equilibrium when the dosage reaches a certain value.