Development of Silica Based Microgels and Evaluation of Their Performance in Microparticle Retention System

The effectiveness of silica-based microgels prepared through the reaction of sulfuric acid and sodium silicate as a component of Compozil system has been evaluated . Silica based microgels with better performance in retention and drainage than a commercial colloidal silica sol have been successfully prepared. Silica gels with the highest charge density were obtained when product pH was controlled to 9. And highly charged silica-based microgels showed greater retention and freeness performance than a commerical product. In particular the difference in retention, turbidity , and freeness between these microgels and a commercial product was eminent at low addition rate. The effects of reaction conditions including reaction temperature, process water quality and feeing rate on product efficiency in improving retention and drainage were also investigated and discussed.