Modelling and optimisation of ageing characteristics of soda activated Na+-bentonites

• Aging process starts with activation and controlled by some important factors.
• The ageing characteristics of activated products depend on the bentonite moisture.
• The ageing process runs faster with bentonite moisture of 40%.
• Higher soda dosages resulted in fast aging and loose of some product properties.
• Response Surface methodology can be used to optimize the activated product quality.

Sustainability of product quality is important for the consistency of commercial bentonites. Nowadays, this issue is receiving more attention, especially for treated products such as activated bentonites. Even minor changes of process conditions might result in major problems or improvements in final quality in applications such as foundry and drilling muds.The technological characteristics of activated bentonites fluctuate depending on the type of bentonite and the kind and amount of additive and curing time. This study examines variations of the characteristics of activated bentonite with some process parameters and ageing time in order to model and optimise the specifications of activated products for drilling mud and application of geosynthetic clay liner using Response Surface Methodology.

Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide