The results of research on highly swelling and contractible Pliocene clays are presented in this paper. The introduction of the polymer poly(methyl methacrylate) (with pendant chains possessing organic cations (poly-DEAH+Cl)) into the clay and the dewatering of the clay were performed using the electroosmosis technique. The measurements were made using a simple electroosmosis apparatus equipped with a specially designed anode, with an electric field equal to 0.5 V/cm applied during the process. After the introduction of the polymeric materials into the clay, a more uniform distribution of the water content and a shortening of the dewatering time were observed in the tested samples. In some cases, dehydration in the presence of poly-DEAH+Cl was four times more effective than dewatering carried out without a polymeric additive. Additionally, as pilot measurements have shown, the introduction of a proper amount of poly-DEAH+Cl into the host layers of the clay causes: (i) a decrease in the expansion index, EI, of about 60%; (ii) an increase in the strength parameter, Cu (cohesion), of about 50%; (iii) an increase in the internal friction angle, ϕu, of about 100%; and (iv) a very high decrease in soaking. The claypolymer composite demonstrates high resistance against moisture.Key words: electroosmosis, polymeric additive, electroosmotic dewatering, clay physical properties.
Research of polymeric additive influence of organic composition on thermochemical conversion of carbon masses
