Dataset on the beneficiation of a Nigerian bentonite clay mineral for drilling mud formulation

This paper presents dataset on the beneficiation of a Nigerian clay
mineral for drilling mud application. The experimental design
applied used a Response Surface Design (RSM), which involved 24
(2-Level, 4-Factors) to generate statistical models, and analyze the
dataset. The independent variables were (Bentonite; X1), (Polymer;
X2), (Sodium Carbonate, X3) and (Aging Time; X4). The rheological
properties of interest, which forms the response variables, were
selected based on the API specification 13-A for drilling grade
bentonite. The outcomes show that the second-order statistical
models derived from responses fitted well with the experimental
results. Predictive models obtained from the statistical characterization of the beneficiation process would allow for the design and
cost-effective planning of the procedure. The beneficiation of the
clay using sodium carbonate and Kelzans XCD polymer ensued in
an improvement in the rheological properties of the formulated
drilling mud. These properties were comparable with the API
specification 13-A for drilling fluid materials.