Kinetics of adsorption of high molecular weight anionic polyacrylamide onto kaolinite: the flocculation process.

The adsorption kinetics of anionic polyacrylamide flocculant onto kaolinite clay are examined as a function of flocculant dosage and pH. Special attention has been given to the flocculation effect during the adsorption process and the resulting inhibition of further adsorption. At pH 8.5 the adsorption capacity of anionic polyacrylamide on kaolinite is low while at pH 4.5, the adsorption capacity increases. Flocculant adsorption has been shown to be related to the amount of available surface area, pH, flocculant dosage, and the resulting floc strength, which controls the rate of new surface area exposure and hence the continuation of further adsorption. At both pH 4.5 and pH 8.5, complete adsorption is achieved at low flocculant dosages and adsorption equilibrium is achieved at high flocculant dosages after 1 day. In contrast, at intermediate flocculant dosages adsorption equilibrium is not reached over a 7-day period, due to a continuously increasing surface area.