The bentonites in pelotherapy: thermal properties of clay pastes from Sardinia (Italy)

Thermal properties of commercial bentonites were studied. The cooling kinetics of the bentonites along with the thermal mud of Benetutti Spa were determined. A mathematical model for the cooling kinetics was obtained by a theoretical cooling equation, with instrumental constants derived from a reference paste TiO2 at 50% moisture. The heat capacity of the pastes introduced into the model was calculated from chemical and mineralogical data.