MONITORING SEDIMENTATION PROCESSES BY CONDUCTIVITY MEASUREMENTS

A non-destructive method to determine the sedimentation behavior of water-continuous dispersed systems has been developed, which is based on conductivity measurement through the dispersion at different heights. Conductivities of sedimenting dispersions are interpreted in terms of dispersion dielectric theory, to convert the qualitative conductivity values into the quantitative volume fraction values of the dispersed phase. First applications are presented illustrating the possibilities in evaluating dispersion's sedimentation stability under normal gravitational field and at different temperatures, and also under centrifugal field. Collection of such profiles at appropriate time intervals allows sedimentation processes to be followed before they become apparent by visual means.