METHOD FOR PRODUCING BENTONITE POWDER Russian patent published in 1998 - IPC

FIELD: production of bentonite powder for use in mechanical engineering, drilling practice, adsorption and catalysis processes. SUBSTANCE: crude bentonite clay is subjected to grinding, followed by chemically modifying ground material with sodium salt in aqueous medium, clay-to-water weight ratio being 1:1.35. Slurry thus-obtained is subjected to stirring and drying in tower-type spray drier. Resulting powdery bentonite clay increases strength of moulding sand mixture by factor 2.1-2.2, while yield of drilling fluid is increased by 30-40%. EFFECT: 1) better product quality; 2) process step of milling is dispensed with; 3) shorter process cycle duration. 2 tbl