Viscosity Modifiers in the Mining Industry

Abstract

Viscosity modifiers are chemical reagents which alter the flow properties of fluids in general, and in particular of suspensions of solids in liquids. In principle such reagents act by altering the interaction between the solid particles in suspension, and in doing so either increase or decrease the deviation from Newtonian behaviour. The most effective example is the so-called drag reduction of thick suspensions using dispersants such as sodium tripolyphosphate, where a suspension with the consistency of toothpaste flows like milk after treatment. The dispersant reduces the particle-particle interaction by altering the surface charge, which prevents the particles from aggregating and effectively reduces the yield stress of the suspension. Several examples of viscosity modification in industrial slurries have been described although the cost of modifiers limits their general application. However there are situations where the controlled use of such chemicals can lead to considerable economic advantages. Two cases are described where chemical additives have been used to modify the flow properties of thick slurries.

Keywords:

• Suspensions
• viscosity modifiers
• yield stress reduction

Additional information

Notes on contributors

R. L. JONES

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