Quantitative analogism on montmorillonite mineral layer filtration ability against micro-materials

Based on experimental and theoretical studies of bentonite hydraulic conductivity and swelling behavior, the author proposes a method for theoretical calculation of the interlayer distance of montmorillonite, a main clay mineral. Comparison of the interlayer distance of montmorillonite calculated using this method with the sizes of micromaterials blocked by the interlayer can support quantitative evaluation of the ability of montmorillonite to block the passage of micromaterials. The validity of this method was demonstrated by quantitative evaluation of filtration of seawater components by montmorillonite with permeable bentonite materials in some artificial seawater environments in the author's previous studies. This study has proposed the calculating flow of the filtration ability of montmorillonite interlayers. Furthermore, the method is applied to clay liners at industrial final waste disposal sites to develop necessary specifications for urgently needed clay-liner materials able to block the passage of micro-substances from biological waste into the environment. In addition, several case calculations were performed and depicts specifications of clay-liners which can block permeation of prion diseased brain matter (4 nm micromaterials) and/or can block permeation of Noroviruses (average diameter, 25–30 nm). • Quantitative evaluation of the ability of montmorillonite to block the passage of micro-materials. • Filtration mechanism of infectious protein particles, pathogenic viruses, and other microscopic substances by the structure of montmorillonite mineral layers. • Examples of calculation results of filtrating abilities of micro-materials for bentonite-based liners. • Calculating flow of the filtration ability of montmorillonite interlayers to micro-materials.