Aggregation and Consolidation of Phosphatic Clays

The consolidation behavior of aggregated phosphatic clays has been investigated using a bench scale centrifuge. It was determined that aggregation of the clays with phosphogypsum, a waste precipitate of phosphoric acid production, or flocculation with PEO enhance their consolidation behavior. Mixing or capping of the clays with phosphogypsum or tailings sand resulted in higher final solids. In the case of gypsum or sand capping the final solids achieved is shown to be a function of initial capping solids. Nature and concentration of ionic species influenced flocculation with PEO greatly without any significant effect upon consolidation.