Synthesis of Starch Graft Copolymer Dispersant and Its Application Performance in Coal-Water Slurry

In this study, a new starch graft copolymer dispersant for Chinese Shenhua coal-water slurry (CWS) was prepared by radical polymerization using styrene sulfonate (SSS), hydroxyethyl acrylate (HEA) and methyl acrylic acid (MAA) as graft monomers in oxidation-reduction initiator system. The apparent viscosity, static stabilization and rheology of Shenhua coal-water slurry prepared with the dispersant have been were investigated. The experimental results demonstrate that the CWS gives the minimal viscosity of 826 mPa.s at coal concentration of 66 wt%, dispersant dosage of 0.5 wt% and shear rate of 100 s(-1). Bleeding ratio tests indicate the starch graft copolymer can stabilize the slurry. The rheological behavior of the prepared CWS can be described by the pseudo-plastic fluid model. On the basis of the above, the starch graft copolymer dispersant has broad prospect for the application for CWS.