Dispersants for Mineral Slurries

Dispersants can improve the rheological properties and help control the flow behavior of mineral slurries. They make slurries easier to handle, pump, grind, and transport by deflocculating mineral particles in high solids-to-water ratios while maintaining a stable, low-viscosity slurry.

Dispersants also assist in preventing or reducing cementation, which can occur in the mineral slurry pipeline due to downtime in the transportation process.

A dispersing agent will allow the slurry to redisperse upon restarting the plant instead of cementing or compacting it at the bottom of the pipeline. Some minerals also require stable dispersion for transportation in drums as they are shipped across the globe. If shipped without a dispersing agent, the drums may develop some cementation level as well.

Arkema custom-develops dispersants for specific ore types to optimize the handling and transportation of mineral slurries. We will work closely with you to select and test the ideal dispersing agent for your unique ore and process.