Evaluation of Egyptian diatomite for filter aid applications
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1 |
Central Metallurgical R&D Institute |
2 |
Beni Suif University |
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Suzan S. Ibrahim
Central Metallurgical R&D Institute, P.O. Box 87, Helwan, Egypt
Publication date: 2011-06-01
Physicochem. Probl. Miner. Process. 2011;47(1):113–122
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ABSTRACT
Diatomite is fine-grained fossil siliceous sedimentary rock. It consists of micronized amorphous silica with a special porous structure. In this study, a technological diatomite sample was subjected to characterization by XRD, XRF, SEM and TEM techniques. Results showed the high grade of the sample with silica content exceeding 90% SiO2. The main accompanying minerals were fine sands, calcite, and kaolinite. The sample was subjected to gentle size reduction to avoid ore cell destruction. The attrition +74μm fraction was rejected, where the -74μm slurry continued refining via the 7.62cm Sprout Bauer and the 5.08cm Mosley hydrocyclones. The -25μm fraction was investigated as the final refined diatomite product.