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 2(4) (2-Level, 4-Factors) to generate statistical models, and analyze the dataset. The independent variables were (Bentonite; X(1)), (Polymer; X(2)), (Sodium Carbonate, X(3)) and (Aging Time; X(4)). 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 Kelzan(®) 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.