Hyo-Min Lee

Sedimentation characteristics of two commercial bentonites in aqueous suspensions

Abstract The sedimentation characteristics of two commercial bentonites, Tixoton (organically treated) and Montigel-F (untreated), were investigated using a 3% w/v clay suspension at different concentrations (1, 3.5 and 10%) of NaCl and pH values (2, 7 and 12). Settling rates, floc diameters and sediment volumes were derived from changes in light transmittance using a Turbiscan Ma 2000 instrument. Both bentonite suspensions were unstable (flocculated) in NaCl solutions. The settling rate increased with increasing concentration of NaCl and was directly related to floc diameter. The sediment volume reduced with increasing NaCl concentrations, a result of greater double layer compression caused by increased ionic strength. At comparable salt concentrations, the organically-treated bentonite (Tixoton) settled at a much slower rate and had a greater sedimentation volume. The suspensions of both organically-treated and untreated bentonites were stable (dispersed) above pH 7 and unstable in acidic conditions. The settling rate for Tixoton under acid conditions was much smaller than that for the Montigel-F. Differences in sedimentation characteristics between the two bentonite samples are probably due to the presence of an anionic polymer (carboxymethyl cellulose: CMC) in Tixoton. The viscosity of the bentonite suspensions was also studied. The viscosity of the clay suspension is closely related to clay dispersivity in solution. The CMC was highly effective in increasing the viscosity of the bentonite suspensions, but only under neutral and alkaline conditions.

Occurrence and Mineralogy of Serpentinite from Bibong Mine in Chungyang Area, Korea

Six serpentine mines are found in South Korea. We investigated occurrence, characteristics and origin of constituent minerals of Bibong serpentine mine in Chungcheongnam-do. We also analyzed the properties of serpentine minerals using XRD, XRF, SEM/EDS, FT-IR, EPMA and polarized microscope. The serpentinite of Bibong mine occurs as intruded body within the Precambrian metasedimentary rocks. Various minerals such as serpentine, forsterite, pyroxene, tremolite, magnetite, chlorite, mica, talc and dolomite are occurre. Five distinctive mineral assemblage types are observed in the serpentinite: (A) serpentine-forsterite, (B) serpentine, (C) serpentine-chlorite (vermiculite), (D) serpentine-tremolite, (E) tremolite-chlorite. Lizardite and antigorite are mainly occurred as serpentine minerals and chrysotile is partly included. From the study of mineral compositions and occurrence of serpentinite body, serpentine formed by hydrothermal alteration of ultramafic rock consisting mainly of forsterite, and altered minerals such as chlorite and tremolite subsequently formed by secondary hydrothermal alteration.

Preventive Measures on Alkali-Silica Reaction of Crushed Stones

In Korea, due to the insufficiency of natural aggregates and increasing needs of crushed stones, it is necessary to examine the alkali-silica reaction of the crushed stones. The reaction produces an alkali-silica reaction gel which can imbibe pore solution and swell to generate cracks that are visible In affected concrete. In general, crushed stones are tested by petrograptuc examination, chemical method and mortar-bar method, but the most reliable method Is mortar-bar test. This study tested alkali-silica reactivity of crushed stones of various rock types using ASTM C 227 and C 1260, and compared the results of two test methods. This study also analyzed effects of particle size and grading of reactive aggregate on alkali-silica reaction expansion of mortar-bar. The effectiveness of mineral admixtures to reduce detrimental expansion caused by alkali-silica reaction was investigated through the ASTM C 1260 method. The mineral admixtures used were nv ash, silica fume, metakaolin and ground granulated blast furnace slag. The replacement ratios of 0, 5, 10, 15, 25 and were commonly applied for all the mineral admixtures and the replacement ratios of 45 and were additional applied for the admixtures that could maintain workability. The results indicate that replacement ratios of for ay ash, for silica fume, for metakaolin or for ground granulated blast furnace slag were most effective to reduce alkali-silica reaction expansion under the experimental conditions.