Integrated process for simultaneous beneficiation, leaching, and dewatering of kaolin clay suspension
AssigneeImerys Pigments, Inc.
InventorsRobert J. Pruett, Jun Yuan, Christopher R.L. Golley, Michael J. Garska
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Abstract
The present invention provides an improved method of beneficiating and dewatering kaolin clays. The product of the improved process is a brightened, dewatered kaolin, suitable for use in pigments and paper coating compositions. The improved beneficiation process provides refined kaolin for pigments and other purposes of the same or better quality as prior art processes, but with the use of fewer steps and materials, at significant cost and environmental savings.
Claims41
A method for beneficiating and dewatering a kaolin comprising:
- (a) obtaining a kaolin clay for which beneficiation is desired;
- (b) forming an aqueous suspension of said clay;
- (c) deflocculating said aqueous suspension;
- (d) optionally adding a reducing agent to said deflocculated aqueous suspension;
- (e) adding a high molecular weight polymer to selectively flocculate said clay suspension;
- (f) separating said flocculated clay product from the remainder of the suspension;
- (g) redispersing the separated clay of (f) to form a deflocculated clay product having a higher weight-percent solids content than the deflocculated aqueous suspension of (c);
- (h) optionally further dewatering or drying said deflocculated clay product.
A method for beneficiating a kaolin clay comprising:
- (a) obtaining a kaolin clay for which iron oxides treatment is desired;
- (b) forming an aqueous suspension of said clay;
- (c) deflocculating said aqueous suspension;
- (d) adding a reducing agent to said deflocculated aqueous suspension in alkaline conditions.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.