Reversible deflocculation of clay slurries
First Claim
1. A method for the controlled deflocculation and reflocculation of clay slurries having a pH between about pH2 and about pH9 which comprises contacting the clay slurry with a sufficient amount to deflocculate the clay slurry of a polymer having the general formula:
- ##STR17## wherein n averages at least 4;
M is selected from the group consisting of alkali metals, ammonium and alkanol amine groups having from 1 to about 4 carbon atoms; and
R1 and R2 are individually any chemically stable group which stabilizes the polymer against rapid depolymerization in alkaline solution; and
(b) reflocculating said clay slurry when said polymer depolymerizes.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Various clay substances, such as kaolin, can be reversibly deflocculated by treating the flocculant clay slurry with a deflocculating amount of a polymer having the general formula: ##STR1## wherein n averages at least 4; M is selected from the group consisting of alkali metals, ammonium, and alkanol amine groups having from 1 to about 4 carbon atoms; R1 and R2 are individually any chemically stable group which stabilizes the polymer against rapid depolymerization in alkaline solution. When the polymer depolymerizes, the clay slurry will reflocculate under agitated or quiescent conditions. The length of time that the slurry remains fluid depends on the pH, the concentration of the polymer, and the hydrolytic stability of the polymer.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A method for the controlled deflocculation and reflocculation of clay slurries having a pH between about pH2 and about pH9 which comprises contacting the clay slurry with a sufficient amount to deflocculate the clay slurry of a polymer having the general formula:
- ##STR17## wherein n averages at least 4;
M is selected from the group consisting of alkali metals, ammonium and alkanol amine groups having from 1 to about 4 carbon atoms; and
R1 and R2 are individually any chemically stable group which stabilizes the polymer against rapid depolymerization in alkaline solution; and(b) reflocculating said clay slurry when said polymer depolymerizes. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
- ##STR17## wherein n averages at least 4;
Specification