Understanding the Effects of Dispersant Addition to Slurry Rheology using Laser Scanning Confocal Microscopy

Abstract

The effectiveness of three dispersants to modify slurry rheology was examined using rheology measurements and laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM) in simulated waste solutions. All of the dispersants lowered the yield stress of the slurries below the baseline samples. The rheology curves were fitted reasonably to a Bingham Plastic model. The three-dimensional LSCM images of simulants showed distinct aggregates were greatly reduced after the addition of dispersants leading to a lowering of the yield stress of the simulated waste slurry solutions.

Keywords:

• Dispersants
• Laser scanning confocal microscopy
• Slurry rheology