Filtrability suspensions

Traditional permeability tests are time-consuming and subject to some uncertainties (4). In the present paper, we describe an automated technique for determining the filtrability of fairly dilute suspensions, which can give useful information, on the behaviour of polymeric flocculants. 

For this purpose, 500 ml of a 140 mg/1 kaolin suspension was treated with an amount of polymer A corresponding to 0.5% of the clay concentration (i.e. the optimum dose). After 15 seconds of rapid mixing, the suspension was subjected to slow (30 r.p.m.) stirring, using a paddle stirrer. Samples were withdrawn at different intervals directly into the syringe and a filtrability determination was carried out. 

However, as a means of studying the filtrability of suspensions and the effect of particle aggregation, either in fundamental work or in practical applications, it could prove to be useful. 

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