Thermal Diffusion of Water in Clays

University College of Agriculture, Calcutta University, Calcutta-700 019

Department of Chemistry, Presidency. College, Calcutta-700 073
Manuscript received 25 February 1983, revised 15 February 1984, accepted 8 November 1984

Thermal diffusion of water in sodium bentonite and kaolinite has been studied, and the results interpreted in terms of the theories of irreversible thermodynamics. The role of heat of transport in characterising the clay-water interactions, as emphasi­sed elsewhere, has been highlighted, and its variations with the nature of the clay, as well as its moisture content and C.E.C., investigated. The results agree, on a qualitative level, with the predicted trends.