THE EFFECTS OF FLOCCULANTS ON THICKENER SCALING
Avotins, P.V. Laviolette, L.L. Repetto, E.F. Eli, A,M.
Settler life varies from a few months to over a year depending on bauxite and liquor compositions as well as process conditions. Flocculant use is integral to settler operation but its effects on scaling have not been studied. Over the past few years, refineries have started to use hydroxamated polyacrylamides as flocculants in their settlers. It has been found that hydroxamated polyacrylamides can provide a reduction in the volume of scale formed and a change in scale composition. This scale is usually easier to remove from settler surfaces. The net result is that these refineries run longer thickener campaigns.