Drying Behavior of Binary Mixtures of Solids

Abstract

In this work, a model system zeolite NaY and kaolin (both from Aldrich®), and mixtures (1:4, 2:3, 3:2, 4:1) were studied. True and bulk densities, porosity, and specific surface area were determined for single solids and mixtures. Physical properties of mixtures were calculated from the mixing rule using mass fraction of each solid in the mixture. Calculated and experimental values presented perfect agreement for true density and specific surface area. For bulk density and porosity the mixing rule works well if the volumetric fraction is used, since the mixtures do not follow the mass proportion due to the different particle size distribution. The mixtures present the drying curves between those of the single solids according to their mass proportion. The results show that it is possible to use the mixing rule to evaluate some physical properties as well as the sorption isotherms and drying curves of binary mixtures of solids.

Keywords:

• Kaolin
• Sorption isotherm
• Physical properties
• Zeolite NaY

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to acknowledge CNPq (National Research Council, Brazil) for the Master's Degree scholarship of F. V. Souza.