Characterization of a Bentonite and Its Permanent Aqueous Suspension

Abstract

A bentonite sample taken from Reşadiye (Tokat/Turkey) deposit was mixed with distilledwater. The formed permanent aqueous suspension was separated by decantation from the flocculatedsolid fraction. The deflocculated mass percent of the bentonite was evaluated almost 60% by weighing.The bentonite and its permanently suspended solid fraction are examined by using X-ray diffraction,chemical, thermal, cation exchange, and particle size analyses. Mineralogy and chemical composition ofthe samples were discussed with respect to the experimental results. A sodium-rich aluminum, iron, andmagnesium smectite was determined as the major clay mineral in the bentonite and also illite as minorone. Clinoptilolite, plagioclase, quartz, opal-CT, calcite, magnesite, and dolomite are the nonclay mineralsfound in the bentonite as impurities. The suspension contains large amount sodium-rich smectite andplagioclase whereas lesser opal-CT. Particle size of the bentonite and deflocculated fraction was found tobe lesser than 11 µm and 2 µm, respectively.