Ethylene Glycol Retention by Clays

Abstract

Abstract By the inclusion of a free glycol surface with each batch of samples, the glycol retention method of Dyal and Hendricks is modified to give an equilibrium glycol retention value that is a constant for a given sample over a wide range of initital drying conditions. Within fairly wide limits, sample size, temperature and free iron oxides are found to have little effect on the equilibrium glycol retention value. Milligrams of glycol per gram of calcium saturated montmorillonoid or illite clay range from 260 to 295 and 65 to 80, respectively. Even at very low glycol retention values the experimental error does not exceed 5%. As well as retaining the highly desirable features of the original method, a simple gravimetric procedure requiring a minimum of special equipment, the proposed modification given a definite equilibrium value and requires a small sample (0.2 gm.). Relations between glycol retention, exchange capacity and percent K 2 O are discussed for hydrous micas from mica to montmorillonoid.