Method for preparing high solids bentonite slurries
AssigneeSouthern Clay Products, Inc.
InventorsMilburn I. Knudson, Paul Carroll, David J. Hanlon, William R. Menking, Patricia M. Lewis
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A smectite clay is provided as an elevated solids aqueous slurry e.g. up to 50% solids, which is composed of the smectite clay slurried or dispersed in water containing an effective concentration of a monovalent salt. When such a salt is present in the clay slurry, the clay does not swell appreciably, is essentially inactive, and the slurry can be shipped and stored without creating a gelling problem. When this slurry is diluted with fresh water at the point of application to make it of the desired solids content for use, the smectite clay is activated and exhibits the desired properties, such as viscosity, retention, etc.
Claims17
A method for preparing a time-stable, low viscosity, high solids aqueous bentonite slurry, comprising:
- preparing an aqueous solution of a non-dispersant salt of a monovalent cation wherein said salt comprises 1 to 35% by weight of said solution, and dispersing therein at least 8% by weight of a powdered bentonite, by low shear intermixing of said powder with said solution;
- said salt being effective to prevent the said bentonite from swelling appreciably, whereby the slurry can be shipped and stored without creating a gelling problem;
- and the inhibiting effect of said salt on said swelling of the bentonite and gelling of said slurry being reversible upon subsequent dilution with water.
A method for shipping a bentonite from a manufacturing point to a utilization point, and providing at the utilization point an aqueous swelled bentonite slurry;
- comprising the steps of preparing at said manufacturing point, a high solids, low viscosity slurry comprising an aqueous solution of 1 to 35% by weight of solution of a non-dispersant salt of a monovalent cation, in which is dispersed at least 8% by weight of a powdered bentonite;
- said salt being effective to prevent the said bentonite from swelling appreciably, whereby the slurry can be shipped and stored without creating a gelling problem;
- the inhibiting effect of said salt on said swelling of the bentonite and gelling of said slurry being reversible upon subsequent dilution with water;
- shipping said slurry to the said utilization point;
- and activating and swelling the bentonite at the utilization point by diluting the high solids slurry with fresh water.
An aqueous slurry of smectite clay of elevated solids content, comprising an aqueous solution of 1 to 35% by weight of said solution of a non-dispersant salt of a monovalent cation, in which is dispersed from about 8 to 50% by weight of said slurry, of a smectite from swelling appreciably, whereby the slurry can be shipped and stored without crating a gelling problem;
- and the inhibiting effect of said salt on said swelling of the bentonite and on gelling of said slurry being reversible upon subsequent dilution with water.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.