Powdered Particle Interactions: Suspension Flocculation and Caking I

The phenomena of caking and of flocculation in a sulfamerazine suspension system have been reported in the literature. The concept of zeta potential was used in measuring and explaining the effects obtained. Several questions have been raised with regard to this prior work, and both caking and flocculation have been examined and explained in terms of other mechanisms. Flocculation in the sulfamerazine suspension system is principally due to the chemical reaction that takes place between dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate anions and the trivalent cations of the flocculating agent. Relatively strong bonding forces develop between the suspended particles, and floccules are formed. Caking of the sulfamerazine suspension system is seen when the particles settle to a dense sediment before bonds can be established between the closely-packed particles.