Characterisation and applications of bentonite

Bachelor thesis (2014)

Authors

Contributors

L.A. Van Paassen (mentor)
J. Benndorf (mentor)
Programme
Geo-engineering (CEG) (TU Delft)
Copyright: © 2014 Ooms, M.C.
Bentonite Characterisation Drilling Fluid Foundry Sand Soil Improvement Bleaching Earth
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Published Date

24-06-2014

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Programme

Geo-engineering

Abstract

A research was undertaken to find the suitability of Turkish calcium bentonite from the mines of a Company. Four samples of bentonite mines in the {\"U}nye region are researched, the M1, M2, M3 and M4 mine. The suitability of drilling fluid, foundry sand, soil improvement and bleaching earth applications is found through research on the characteristics of bentonite and by testing the specifications of the chosen applications. In this research the following bentonite characteristics are determined: cation exchange capacity, chemical composition, free swelling capacity, liquid limit, methylene blue adsorption, moisture content, pH, plastic viscosity, specific surface, swelling index and yield point. Characteristics are tested according the associated methods of the specifications. For drilling fluid, the API 13A and OCMA Standard is used. The IS 12446:2007 by the Bureau of Indian Standard is used for foundry sand. For the applications of soil improvement and bleaching earth international standards cannot be found. For this reason a specification of the European Commission on soil improvement is used. Recommended ranges found in literature are used in testing the suitability of bentonite for bleaching earth. The results of this research show a suitable outcome for the use of drilling fluid. The M1 and M4 sample are API qualified and the M3 sample is conform the OCMA Standard. For foundry sand the bentonite samples are not suitable, all samples are not performing good enough on water absorption and cation exchange. Due to found traces of lead contamination in the M1, M3 and M4 bentonite samples, but these samples are still suitable in soil improvement according to the specifications of the European Commission. However, in the M2 sample there is no trace found of any heavy metal contamination and is, except the low nutrient content, suitable for soil improvement. All samples are very close to the recommended ranges found in literature for bleaching earth, therefore all samples are suitable for the application.