Effect of Neutralization of the Grinding Aid in the Production of Fine CaCO3 Slurries

Abstract The most commonly used additive in wet grinding of calcium carbonate is a low‐polydispersity‐index sodium polyacrylate with an optimized molecular weight. A similar polyacrylate was tested under different Na‐Ca and Na‐Mg neutralization states. Results of the grinding experiments revealed logarithmic relations between the weight percentage of fine particles and specific energy consumption (SEC). Power‐law functions were established between the median size and SEC. A steady increase of SEC occurred with r = M 2+ /CO 2 − . This energy increment with r is greater when the grinding aid is a Na‐Ca‐neutralized polyacrylate. Moreover, the quantities of non‐adsorbed dispersant in the ground calcium carbonate suspensions after grinding decline with r and are not dependent on the nature of M 2+ .