Bentonite Manufacturer, Supplier, Exporter in Kutch, India

Bentonite, A multi-use mineral

Bentonite is defined as a kind of absorbent clay formed by the breakdown of volcanic ash, used esp. as filler. Bentonite clay has been gaining fame in recent years as an internal and external purifier for very good reasons. Not all Bentonite Clay is created equal; most of it is not mined for internal use or sifted as finely as it should be.

Bentonite is classified into two:

One is called the swelling type or Sodium Bentonite, which has single water layer particles containing “Na” as the exchangeable ion.
The other has double water layer particles with Ca as the exchangeable ion. It is called Calcium Bentonite or non-swelling type. “Na” or “Ca” is exchanged by “Mg” or “Fe“

Bentonite is a natural clay.

Bentonite is a natural clay of the smectite family. The montmorillonite platelet structure within Bentonite makes it a versatile mineral. Charge imbalances are generated on the surface due to the metal replacements in the structure which are countered by the captions bound to the surface.

The individual platelets are surrounded by lattice moisture and stack together to form agglomerates.

As a result, the overall properties of a Bentonite are determined by the platelet size, number & size of charges

Good Piling Grade Bentonite

Characteristics of a good Piling Grade Bentonite

Covers Large Surface area
Has good Plasticity and Lubricity Low filter loss
Excellent Gel Strength
Good Impermeability
Low Compressibility

Uses of Bentonite

Swelling
Hydration
Water Absorption
Gelling
Liquid Limit
Viscosity and Thixotropic

Drilling Grade Bentonite

The following grades of Bentonite are used for Drilling:

API 13 A Sec 9 – Provides best viscosity and gelling properties.
API 13 A Sec 11 – It is a viscosifier and fluid loss reducing agent for water based systems API 13A Sec 10 Grade

Advantages to use Bentonite for Drilling

Cost-effective means of achieving viscosity, fluid-loss control and filter-cake
Retains thixotropic properties when met with brine and high temperature in deep drilling Gives high barrel yield
Withstands formation pressure
Provides lubricity for drilling fluids
There is very little loss of drilling fluids

Drilling Grade Bentonite: API Grade

Oil-well Drilling Industry accounts for over 30% consumption of Bentonite. Bentonite is as a mud constituent for oil- and water- well drilling.

Its role is mainly to seal the borehole walls, to remove drill cuttings and to lubricate the cutting head.

The special higher mud yield results in using less quantity of Bentonite for the same standard mud. This results in lesser requirement of Bentonite.

Major Uses: