Existing theories of floe dilation, particle repulsion due to Gouy-Chapman double layers, and particle attraction resulting from London—Van der Waals forces have been combined to help understand the flocculation characteristics of ThCU suspensions. The potential energy due to the combined repulsion and attraction of two spherical particles has been calculated for temperatures between 25 and 300°C, particle radii between 50 and 5200 ft, electrolyte valences of 1 and 2, electrolyte concentrations between 10"5 and 10"3 M, and surface potentials corresponding to surface ionic energies of between 2 and 10 kT units. Flocculation rate calculations indicate that the surface potential required for a particular degree of stability is lowest at low temperatures, large particle radii, low electrolyte valence, low electrolyte concentration, and low suspension concentration.
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