ACCELERATED PRECIPITATION OF KAOLIN SUSPENSIONS WITH RANDOM COPOLYMERS OF ACRYLAMIDE AND SODIUM 2-ACRYLAMIDO-2-METHYLPROPANESULFONATE

The kinetic characteristics of sedimentation of the disperse phase in suspensions of kaolin with high-molecular-weight random copolymers of acrylamide and sodium 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonate were inves tigated. Potentiation of the flocculating effect with an increase in t he concentration and molecular weight of the copolymer and pH from 3 t o 7 was demonstrated. The rate of sedimentation of kaolin decreased bo th in the absence and in the presence of the copolymer with an increas e in the concentration of disperse phase in the suspension. The floccu lating effect of the copolymer is a weak function of the concentration of NaCl and CaCl2 in the 0.5-10% range.