Published online by Cambridge University Press: 09 July 2018
Clays may be flocculated from suspension by various polymeric flocculating agents. In this study the technique of differential thermal analysis is used to identify the flocculating agent and to study its behaviour when adsorbed on the clay particles. It is shown that the clay particles display normal properties on sedimenting in the presence of sufficient polymer to cause flocculation. The differential thermal analysis trace for clays is only affected when the flocculating agent is present on the surface in quantities in excess of that required for effective sedimentation.