Effect of Shear on Particulate Suspension Dewatering

The role of flocculants in changing the dewatering properties of aggregated particulate suspensions has been examined. The hindered settling and compressibility characteristics of suspensions have been measured for a range of aggregate formation conditions. The effect of post formation shear on the dewatering has also been quantified for a range of shear rates. A critical shear rate transition has been observed between beneficial and detrimental effects in dewatering.