Activation of mixed typed and Ca bentonites with soda and MgO

Bentonites which are widely used in controlling the stability of industrial suspensions due to their high cation exchange capacity may be classified as alkaline (Na bentonite), semi alkaline (Na-Ca bentonite), alkaline earth (Ca bentonite). While Na bentonites are used as drilling fluid for their existing technological properties, semi alkaline and alkaline earth bentonites have limited use in this industry.Although reserves of Na bentonites are limited both in our country and in the world, there is unlimited reserves of Na-Ca and Ca bentonites. It is generally difficult to use these bentonites in their natural form in drilling industry because of their average and low swelling capacity, viscosities and high filtration losses. The only way to obtain drilling mud in compliance with the API and TSE standarts is to activate bentonite by adding various additives. Using new technological developments with these type of bentonites, will be highly competitive and highly important for our national economyIn this study, via wet and dry activation with MgO, Na2CO3 and MgO+ Na2CO3 with Na-Ca and Ca Bentonites, technological properties such as viscosity, swelling and filtration loss are investigated. As investigating the effects of Na and Mg ions on the suspansions physical properties, zeta potential and pH measurements have been done. The interaction of these compounds with the edges or surfaces of bentonite platelets through ion exchange or ion adsorption modify swelling and rheological properties of montmorillonite. Electrokinetic properties can be utilized to optimize the formulations of bentonites suspensions.At the end of this study , it has been observed that mix-typed bentonites are useful in drilling industry when activating them with soda and MgO combination via dry activation. It is also possible to make Ca bentonites suitable for drilling but it needs activation with CMC due to their high filtration loss.