Analysing the role of a bio-surfactant extracted from Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott on the stabilization of high concentrated iron ore slurry for transportation

Abstract

ABSTRACT. The transportation of minerals/ores in form of slurry through pipelines is an alternative, effective and also eco-friendly mode of transportation. Surfactants extracted from the plant sources are gaining high interest for the formulation and stabilization of high concentrated solid-water slurries. In this work, the role of a novel bio-surfactant extracted from Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott on the stabilisation of iron ore slurry (IOS) was studied and reported first time. The collected iron ore powder (IOP) and dried IOS samples were analysed with the help of XRF, XRD, SEM and EDS analysis. The results confirmed that the surfactant molecules (present in aqueous Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott) coated well on iron surface and forms an effective barrier between the iron ore (IO) particles. The studied rheological parameters for the slurry indicated non-Newtonian flow behaviour.

KEY WORDS: Iron ore slurry, Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott, XRD, SEM, rheological measurements

Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2023, 37(6), 1459-1470. 
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v37i6.13