Stable particulate suspensions

摘要

Methods and apparatus are disclosed for providing homogeneous liquid suspensions of materials that are not readily wet by the liquid. Sulfonate based dispersants in combination with a gelling grade clay mineral provide stable and homogeneous suspensions of materials such as sulfur and coal dust in water. When attapulgite clay is used as a suspending agent for coal dust in flammable liquid hydrocarbons the fly ash combination by-products remain similarly suspended in the effluent flue gases to facilitate the removal of the fly ash within the flue assembly.