A novel technique utilizing the gelation reaction of natural polymers has been proposed for the separation of solid from liquid in difficult-to-filter colloidal suspensions. This technique is especially effective in the treatment of colloidal muddy watts of high solid concentration, which is often produced as a byproduct of certain construction processes. Colloidal suspensions are mixed with a sodium alginate solution, and this mixture is added to a calcium chloride solution, resulting in the entrapping of colloidal particles by the calcium alginate gel. Gel suspensions are then drained gravitationally, followed by mechanical expression of gel particles. Fundamental aspects of this process are investigated by using sodium bentonite:ls an experimental material. The alginate-bentonite mixture is added dropwise to the calcium solution. Decreasing the droplet size of the mixture expedites gelation since the diffusion of calcium ions into droplets determines the rate of gelation reactions. Reducing the alginate content expedites expression of the gel since alginate content is inversely proportional to the rate of expression.

Expression Drainage Colloidal Suspension Gelation Alginate

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