Effect of Starch and Surfactant on Viscosity of Bentonite Suspension

The rheological behaviour of bentonite-water slurry has been studied along with the addition of corn starch and potato starch. The effects of solid concentration as well the effect of surfactant on the rheological behaviour of bentonite-water slurry were experimented. The changes in the flow properties of the modified bentonite-water slurry were studied by measuring the viscosity using a cone and plate viscometer. It was found that the viscosity of bentonite suspensions decreases with increasing shear rate depicting the pseudo plastic nature of the suspension. With the addition of starch the viscosity was found to be decreasing. The heating of the clay-starch slurry led to decreased values of viscosity. The viscosity values were found to be lowered by the addition of surfactant.