Hydrometallurgical Purification of Some Clay Deposits for High Temperature Applications

D.O. FOLORUNSO, S. ARIBO, P. O. OLUBAMBI, J.O. BORODE

Africa Materials Science And Engineering Networks: A Carnegie-IAS (RISE) Networks.
Department of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering, Tshwane University of Technology,Pretoria West, Pretoria, South Africa..
Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria.

DOI: 10.4236/jmmce.2012.115032                

Abstract

The characterization of five different Nigerian clay deposits has been carried out by employing three different characterization techniques (X-ray Diffraction, X-ray Fluorescence and Scanning Electron Microscopy/EDX). The clays obtained from the various deposits were carefully prepared for the analyses and the results obtained were compared to confirm the consistency and reliability of the different methods employed. The results revealed the various desirable (SiO₂ and Al₂O₃) and deleterious (Fe₃O₄, K₂O, MgO, MnO and Na₂O) elements and compounds contained in the clay samples in the various proportions and the appropriate purification technique required for preparing the clays for high temperature applications. Consequent upon the identification of the deleterious impurities, oxalic acid at different concentrations was used to leach the impurities out of the various clays. However, three out of the five deposits were chosen for purification because they possess the least quantities of the most deleterious (Fe₂O₃) of the impurities.

Keywords

Hydrometallurgy, Purification, High Temperature, Clay and Characterization.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

[1]	Hassan, S.B.; “Effect of silicon carbide on some refractory properties of Kankara clay” (2001), Proceedings of Nigerian Metallurgical Society.
[2]	Azom, T.; “Refractories- An overview” (2008), Journal of materials online at www.azom.com
[3]	Dogan, C.P., Kwong, K.S., Bennet, J.P.; “Improved refractory materials for Slagging coal Gasifiers,“ (2002), in proceedings from the 27th International conference on coal utilization and fuel systems, Clearwater, Florida.
[4]	Ahmed, K.S.; “Development of Phosphate Bonded Fireclay Refractory Castable”,(1986) . Unpublished M.Sc (Chem.) Thesis, Chemical Engineering Dept., Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria.
[5]	Hassan, S.B.;“Refractory Properties of Bauchi and Onibode Clays of Nigeria for Furnace Linning”(2000), African Journal of Science and Technology, Vol.1. No. 1, Pp. 33-41.
[6]	Bakker, W.T.; “Refractories for present and future electric power plants”(1993), Key Engineering Materials, Trans Tech Publications, Vol. 88, Pp. 41-70.
[7]	Ndaliman, M.B.; ”Effect of certain additives on refractory properties of termite hill for furnace lining”(2000), Proc.2nd Ann. Engin. Conf. Federal University of Technology, Minna, Nigeria. 4-6 Sept. 2000, Pp.139-144.
[8]	Borode, J.O., Onyemaobi, O.O. and Omotoyinbo, J.A.;Suitability of some Nigerian Clays as refractory raw materials(2000). Nigerian Journal of Engineering Management. Vol.3. Pp. 14-18.