Dewatering of organic slurries using reinforced thermosensitive porous gels

Summary The use of a thermosensitive porous gel for dewatering organic slurries was investigated. The gel was synthesized from N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM), the monomer and N,N’-methylenebisacrylamide (MBAA), a crosslinker. A porous gel was produced by simple radical polymerization at higher temperature than the LCST (Lower Critical Solution Temperature) of the N-isopropylacrylamide polymer. At such a high temperature, phase separation occurs as polymerization proceeds, and a porous structure is formed. The thermosensitive porous gel, which was supported by stainless steel wire, was prepared and the effect of preparation conditions such as the concentration of crosslinker and monomer used on the dewatering performance of the gel was examined. The effects of these parameters on gel structure and the relationship between gel structure and absorption rates were also examined.