Purified attapulgite clay

摘要

A method for producing attapulgite clay (Fuller's Earth) that significantly removes other types of clays and minerals, resulting in improved performance. A unique dispersant is used that will fully disperse the individual attapulgite particles in water such that the particles remain in suspension, and said dispersant will not fully disperse other clay and mineral species, which then can be easily separated through various techniques. The attapulgite clay may be recovered from the dispersion and dried in such a manner to produce a finely sized powder from ore, without the need for any grinding or milling operation. The dried attapulgite clay has a free moisture content of 2-3 %. The dried attapulgite clay with adsorbed dispersant is redispersed in water and retains thixotropic properties.