Evaluation of low-pressure compressibility and permeability of bentonite sediment from centrifugal consolidation data

This paper discusses application of centrifugal consolidation technique for evaluation of the low-pressure compression–permeability characteristics of mineral sludge. The evaluation is based on analysis of consolidation kinetics and ultimate compression of the sediment measured at various centrifugal accelerations. Dependencies of the volume fraction of particles φ, specific cake resistance α and compressibility coefficient C of the sludge versus solid compressive pressure ps were estimated and compared with those obtained from dead-end filtration experiments.

Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► We proposed the method for determination of local compression–permeability properties.
► The method is based on analysis of centrifugal consolidation data.
► We tested this method using the concentrated mineral sludge.
► The data obtained by new method were compared with the data obtained by dead-end filtration.
► The estimated values of solidosity and specific resistance were close to that obtained by filtration.