BENEFICIATION OF DIATOMITE USING HYDROCYCLONE
1James O. Aremu and 2*Daniel A. Aremu
1Energy Systems Engineering Department, University of Glamorga Cardiff
2*Mechanical Engineering, Federal Polytechnic Mubi, Adamawa State, Nigeria
E-mail: danielaremu2013@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT: Preliminary beneficiation and characterization of the Bularafa of Yobe State diatomite deposit was investigated. A 2” hydrocyclone device having a vertex finder of 8.0mm spigot openings of 3.2mm, 4.5mm, and 6.4mm was used in carrying out the experiment ranging from 1 bar to 5 bars for each spigot opening. The results from the analysis showed a chemical composition of 64.3% SiO2, 1.03% Al2O3, 5.52% Fe2O3, 7.09% CaO, 2.00% MgO, 0.60% K2O, 1.29% NaO, 2.10% TlO2, and 7.10 L 0.1. The result of beneficiation analysis shows that silica (SiO2 ) content is 77.20% as highest at 5 bars while the ion oxide (Fe2 O3) is 2.88% the lowest at 5 bar. The result obtained, showed that Bularafa deposit can be used as an insulator, filter, aid, filter and likewise in cement industries.