Hironori Ozaki

The Effects of Agitation on the Rheology of a Coal Water Mixture

The changes in CWM rheological properties by means of high speed agitation were investigated through batch agitation tests using a laboratory-scale agitator. In this study, the rheological properties were measured according to the CWM Quality Test Method, (Center for Coal Utilization, JAPAN United Method). It was found possible to decrease the apparent viscosity of a CWM and improve the statical stability by agitation. The decrease in the apparent viscosity is mainly attributable to the more uniform dispersion of dispersant promoted by high shear agitation. The improvement of statical stability is mainly attributable to the increase in the structural viscosity caused by clay minerals liberated from the coal surface during agitation.