Organoclay, made from bentonite and quaternary amines, is used for water and wastewater treatment. Its chemical properties allow it to dissolve hydrocarbons and attract organic molecules, making it efficient for removing oil and grease. It is also used for groundwater treatment and can be used as a plastic additive to increase strength and flame retardancy.
Organo clay is a type of chemically modified clay used for wastewater and water treatment. It is made up of bentonite, which is a clay formed from volcanic ash that contains the mineral montmorillonite. Organ clay also contains artificially added chemical compounds known as quaternary amines, which give the clay its useful industrial properties. The addition of quaternary amines allows the clay to chemically dissolve substances such as oil and grease, removing them from the water.
When organoclay is introduced into water, chemical reactions occur that allow the clay to dissolve hydrocarbons, organic chemicals made up of hydrogen and carbon, such as petroleum. Clay is able to do this due to the presence of amines, or ammonium compounds, that have been added to it during the manufacturing process. It acts as a surfactant, reducing the surface tension of liquids and allowing them to mix with previously incompatible substances. While oil cannot dissolve in water, it can dissolve in clay due to these chemical properties.
Organoclay is organophilic, which means it attracts organic molecules. This makes it useful as a wastewater treatment tool. When added to wastewater, clay acts as a filter, removing organic compounds such as oil, grease and other substances. It can absorb up to 70% of its weight in hydrocarbons, making it more efficient than other filtration technologies. Carbon filters can be used in conjunction with organoclay as part of a multi-step process in water purification.
Groundwater is also treated with organoclay. For example, when water seeps through a landfill or becomes contaminated on a construction site, it is often dangerous for the environment to allow the water to return to the aquifer without treatment. Organoclay is used for remediation projects in these settings.
The permeable barrier is an example of a technology used to treat groundwater near areas such as landfills. A barrier is built around the problem site using organic clay. Because clay is porous, water is able to seep through the barrier into groundwater. Organic compounds and pollutants, however, are trapped and dissolved by the chemical properties of the clay. The barrier prevents contaminants from seeping through and allows pure water to flow back into the environment.
Some types of organoclays have applications outside the field of water treatment. Plastics, including plastic bags, can be reinforced with organoclay additives. Some clay blends have been found to increase the strength and flame retardant properties of plastics when added during the manufacturing process.
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