Chemical Conditioning for Solid-Liquid Separation Processes

Particularly for suspensions and slurries of biological origin, efficient solid-liquid separation is highly dependent on proper chemical conditioning. This review first describes the material properties that may be sought through chemical conditioning and then it reviews the nature of colloidal stability, considering whether classical theory can be successfully related to practical application or whether newer models of suspension slurry behavior are required. Finally, the chemical agents used as conditioners are described, with important attributes explained.