ELECTROFORCED SEDIMENTATION OF THICK CLAY SUSPENSIONS IN CONSOLIDATION REGION

It is shown that the slow settling rates of thickened Gairome clay slurries, when initial concentrations are sufficiently concentrated for settling due to the so‐called consolidation mechanism from the beginning of settling, can be greatly enhanced by application of D.C. voltages. Equations for settling due to the consolidation mechanism are developed in view of the influence of the gravitational and the applied electric field. It is demonstrated that the settling rates increase remarkably with increasing electric field intensity. The settling rates and the porosity distributions in settling sediments calculated by the new equations compare favorably with experimental observations. Copyright © 1979 American Institute of Chemical Engineers