Study of deflocculation of white clay for obtaining ceramic proppants fabrication in spray dryer

摘要

Purpose: The aim of the paper is to present the properties of ceramic slurries based on Polish raw material - white clay. Design/methodology/approach: Test simulations were performed using mechanical mixer with rotation speed of 300 rpm. To characterize white clay microstructure SEM Hitachi SU-70 was used. For better investigation of white clay Zeta potential and grain size were done. Findings: As a result of conducted rheological properties of new slurries based on Polish raw material exhibits stable properties in time and meet standard industrial requirements. Ceramic slurries have very promising properties and it is possible to applicate them to ceramic proppants fabrication in spray dryer. Research limitations/implications: The main limitation is iack of possibilities to modification the rheological properties using additional chemical binders. Polish industry requires to use water as a main binder and max few wt.% of deflocculant additives. This limitation affect on the solid concentration of ceramic slurries and presented slurries had only 45 wt.%. The presented results of experimental studies will be used for developing a parameters of proppants fabrication details. Practical implications; Presented investigations are the part of a new ceramic slurries fabrication which are intended to consist in future with three Polish raw materials as a mix of white clay, bauxite and kaolin. Originality/value: This is one of first research to produce ceramic proppants using slurries, spray dryer and Polish raw materials. In future to take care of ecology, environment and modification properties of ceramic slurries Polish ashes from waste industry production will be added.