USE OF SURFACTANTS FOR MECHANICAL LIQUID SEPARATION

Mechanical dewatering of fine-grained solid materials can be improved by the addition of surfactants. As interface-active substances surfact ants reduce surface tension and consequently the capillary forces with in the bed of solid particles. A hydrophobization of the solid surface due to the adsorption of surfactants may contribute to further reduct ion of moisture as well. The development of non-foaming surfactants en ables the use without disturbing other ongoing processes by the format ion of foam. Investigations on the interaction between the adsorption behaviour, type of material surface, and contact time during dewaterin g processes support the-optimization of dewatering agents. The use of surfactants is an attractive means of improving or replacing other met hods of mechanical dewatering.