Characterization Of Nigerian Feldspar
Characterizing Nigerian feldspar involves a comprehensive analysis of its composition, properties, and geological context within Nigeria. Feldspar, a crucial mineral in various industrial applications including ceramics and glass manufacturing, is abundant in Nigeria’s geological formations. Understanding Nigerian feldspar entails assessing its chemical composition, crystal structure, mineralogical diversity, and physical attributes such as hardness, cleavage, and color variations. Moreover, evaluating its occurrence within different geological formations across Nigeria provides insights into its geological significance and potential for commercial exploitation. Researchers conduct various analytical techniques such as X-ray diffraction, spectroscopy, and electron microscopy to elucidate the unique characteristics and quality of Nigerian feldspar, crucial for informed utilization and sustainable development of this valuable mineral resource in Nigeria’s industrial landscape.
In this work, the characterization of Okpilla feldspar deposit in Edo State, Nigeria was carried out with the view of finding its suitability for glass and ceramics production. The Chemical Analysis, Mineralogical Analysis, Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA), and the Loss on Ignition (LOI) were carried out using XRF and Rational Analyses, XRD, and DTA furnace respectively. Glass batch and ceramic body (ornamental ware) were composed with the feldspar to determine its suitability for glass and ceramic production. The chemical analysis shows the feldspar deposit is a potash feldspar with 10.40% K2O. From the various analyses it is concluded that the Okpilla feldspar is suitable for the production of glass and ceramic bodies.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
COVER PAGE
TITLE PAGE
APPROVAL PAGE
DEDICATION
ACKNOWELDGEMENT
ABSTRACT
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE PROJECT
- AIM/OBJECTIVE OF THE PROJECT
- SCOPE OF THE PROJECT
- METHODOLOGY
- PROJECT ORGANISATION
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
- REVIEW OF FELDSPAR DEPOSITS IN NIGERIA AND THE ENRICHED STATES
- MINING OF FELDSPAR IN NIGERIA CHAPTER THREE
- PROPERTIES OF FELDSPAR
- USES OF FELDSPARS
- GROUPS/TYPES OF FELDSPAR
- HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF FELDSPAR
- OVERVIEW OF FELDSPAR
- CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF FELDSPARS
- IDENTIFICATION OF SPECIFIC FELDSPARS
- ORIGIN AND OCCURRENCE
METHODOLOGY
- SOURCING OF THE FELDSPAR MATERIAL
- CHARACTERIZATION OF THE OKPILLA FELDSPAR
- SAMPLE PREPARATION
- CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
- MINERALOGICAL ANALYSIS
CHAPTER FOUR
RESULT ANALYSIS
- RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
CHAPTER FIVE
- CONCLUSION
- REFERENCES
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Feldspar is described as any of a group of alumino silicate minerals that contain calcium, sodium, or potassium. Feldspars materials such as nepheline syenite are mostly used in the glass and ceramic industries. In the glass industry, they are used as sources of alkali and alumina while in the ceramic industry; they are used for their fluxing properties [M.I. Ibisi, 1992]. According to G. Klien [2001], feldspar is the most common mineral found on the earth crust and which is an essential raw material for both glass and ceramic industries. Feldspar is utilized as an essential material in batches for the making of fine ceramic products like a hard ware, vitreous china, porcelain and the likes due to its fluxing properties. In the production of glass, feldspar provides alumina, which improves hardness, durability, and ability of glass to resist chemical corrosion. In the ceramic industry, feldspar is mostly utilized in ceramic bodies and glazes. As a flux, feldspar lowers the vitrifying temperature of a ceramic body during firing and forms a glassy phase in the body [R.A. Kauffman, 1994].
The mineral of which the composition is comprised between Albite and Anorthite are known as plagioclase feldspars, while those comprised between Albite and Orthoclase are called the alkali feldspars [D. Rhodes, 1989]. The latter category is of particular interest in most industrial use of feldspar.
Feldspar that has high amount of potassium has been discovered to be better for body formulation. While feldspar that has high amount of sodium is more useful in glaze formulation as a result of its relatively low melting point. At about 12500C most feldspar melts. It was also reported by D. Rhodes [1989] and B. Grema [2004] that feldspar is commonly the only source of body flux. Generally, feldspar plays a significant role as a fluxing agent with the formation of liquid during firing but when cooled, the liquid forms a glass and brings the grains of clay and silica together. Feldspar has also been considered a main constituent in most porcelain and other white bodies [6]. In view of this, porcelain manufactures use feldspar to a great extent for body and glaze formulation. [7] also stated that feldspar are commonly recognized by its cleavage, lustre, hardness and colour. However, potash feldspar according to [8] is often pink in colour but that this is not due to iron oxide. These consist of the elements oxygen, silicon and alumina with potash, soda and calcia. Feldspar is abundant and available in commercial quantities in many parts of the Country. B. Grema, (2004) however reported that there are large deposits of feldspar in the granite rocks of Nigeria and that feldspar rich in pegmatites are found in different parts of the country. Although, Nigeria possesses appreciable quantity of non-metallic mineral raw materials like feldspar, low sourcing and utilization have been the major problem, hence over dependence on importation of these resources with little or no value additions to the disadvantage of the local industries.
This research work however focused on the characterization of okpilla feldspar in Edo State, Nigeria to determine its suitability for glass and ceramic production.
1.2 AIM AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The main aim of this study is to determine the characterization of Nigeria feldspar using okpilla in Edo State, Nigeria as the study area. The objectives are:
- To determine the suitability of feldspar glass and ceramic production
- The understand the usefulness of feldspar
- To determine how availability of feldspar in Nigeria states.
1.3 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
In this study, chemical analysis was also carried out on the feldspar samples from the three deposits and the results show that the deposits contained all the constituents suitable for producing glass and ceramic.
1.4 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
In the course of carrying this study, numerous sources were used which most of them are by visiting libraries, consulting journal and news papers and online research which Google was the major source that was used.
1.5 PROJECT ORGANISATION
The work is organized as follows: chapter one discuses the introductory part of the work, chapter two presents the literature review of the study, chapter three describes the methods applied, chapter four discusses the results of the work, chapter five summarizes the research outcomes and the recommendations.
Characterization Of Nigerian Feldspar:
Feldspar is a common mineral found in many parts of the world, including Nigeria. In Nigeria, feldspar deposits are found in various states such as Kaduna, Plateau, Bauchi, and Kogi. These deposits are typically associated with granitic rocks and pegmatites.
Characterization of Nigerian feldspar involves analyzing various properties of the mineral to understand its composition, structure, and potential uses. Some aspects of characterization include:
1. **Chemical Composition**: Feldspar is a group of minerals comprising aluminum silicates with varying proportions of potassium, sodium, and calcium. Chemical analysis of Nigerian feldspar can determine the specific composition of these elements, which can influence its suitability for different applications.
2. **Mineral Structure**: Feldspar minerals have a complex crystal structure, typically forming monoclinic or triclinic crystals. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis can be used to determine the crystalline structure of Nigerian feldspar samples, providing insight into their mineralogical properties.
3. **Physical Properties**: Various physical properties such as color, hardness, density, and cleavage are important in characterizing feldspar. Nigerian feldspar may exhibit different colors ranging from white to pink, depending on its chemical composition. Hardness tests such as Mohs scale can determine the mineral’s resistance to scratching, while density measurements provide information about its mass per unit volume.
4. **Grain Size and Morphology**: Feldspar grains in Nigerian deposits can vary in size and morphology. Microscopic analysis techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM) can be employed to examine the grain size, shape, and texture of feldspar particles.
5. **Thermal Properties**: Feldspar minerals may exhibit thermal characteristics such as melting point, thermal expansion, and thermal conductivity. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) can be used to study the thermal behavior of Nigerian feldspar samples.
6. **Chemical Reactivity**: Understanding the chemical reactivity of feldspar is crucial for its utilization in various industrial processes. Acid digestion tests and leaching experiments can assess the susceptibility of Nigerian feldspar to chemical reactions under different conditions.
7. **Applications**: Characterization studies also focus on identifying potential applications of Nigerian feldspar. Depending on its properties, feldspar can be used in ceramics, glassmaking, construction materials, and as a source of flux in metallurgical processes.
Overall, thorough characterization of Nigerian feldspar involves a multidisciplinary approach combining geological, mineralogical, chemical, and physical techniques to assess its properties and potential industrial applications.