Vermiculite Definition: Definition: –Minerals with micaceous morphology commonly formed by the...
If you can't read please download the document
Vermiculite Definition: Definition: –Minerals with micaceous morphology commonly formed by the alteration of biotite and Iron-bearing phlogopite. –Supergene
Vermiculite Definition: Definition: Minerals with micaceous
morphology commonly formed by the alteration of biotite and
Iron-bearing phlogopite. Supergene alteration product formed by the
combined effects of weathering and circulating groundwater.
(Mg,Ca,K,Fe 2+ ) 3 (Si,AL,Fe 3+ ) 4 O 10 (OH) 2 O 4 H 2 O, Hydrated
Magnesium Iron Aluminum Silicate Hydroxide
http://mineral.galleries.com/minerals/silicate/vermicul/vermicul.htm
Slide 3
Vermiculite - Class Class: Silicates Class: Silicates (SiO 4 )
(SiO 4 ) Subclass: Phylosilicates (The Sheet Structures) Subclass:
Phylosilicates (The Sheet Structures) Groups: The Clays and the
Monmorillonite / Smectite Group Groups: The Clays and the
Monmorillonite / Smectite Group (It is sometimes put in the Mica
group but recent analysis has excluded it from that group)
http://mineral.galleries.com/minerals/
Slide 4
Vermiculite- Physical Characteristics Color: Brown to golden
brown, can also be white, colorless, or yellow Color: Brown to
golden brown, can also be white, colorless, or yellow Luster:
Pearly to greasy Luster: Pearly to greasy Transparency: Translucent
crystals Transparency: Translucent crystals Cleavage: Perfect in
one direction Cleavage: Perfect in one direction Fracture: Uneven
to lamellar Fracture: Uneven to lamellar Hardness: About 1.5, which
can sometimes leave marks on paper Hardness: About 1.5, which can
sometimes leave marks on paper Specific Gravity: 2.3-2.5 Specific
Gravity: 2.3-2.5 Streak:white Streak:white Crystal System:
monoclinic, 2/m Crystal System: monoclinic, 2/m (Hindman, 2006)
http://www.hoben.co.uk/vermiculite/specs.htm
Slide 5
Vermiculite- Physical Characteristics Crystal Habit:
Pseudohexagonal tabular crystals (books), also compact or lamellar
masses or microscopic crystals Crystal Habit: Pseudohexagonal
tabular crystals (books), also compact or lamellar masses or
microscopic crystals Other Characteristics: When heated, crystals
expand to many times their original volume. Other Characteristics:
When heated, crystals expand to many times their original volume.
Sintering temperature: 1260 Degrees C Sintering temperature: 1260
Degrees C Melting Point: 1330 Degrees C Melting Point: 1330 Degrees
C Specific Heat: 1.8 kJ/kg.K. Specific Heat: 1.8 kJ/kg.K. pH value:
8.0-9.5 pH value: 8.0-9.5 Thermal Conductivity: 0.062-0.0656W/mK
Thermal Conductivity: 0.062-0.0656W/mK
Vermiculite- Physical Characteristics There are water molecules
within the internal structure of vermiculite, that when it is
heated to high temperatures, the water transforms to steam, causing
the particles to increase in volume. There are water molecules
within the internal structure of vermiculite, that when it is
heated to high temperatures, the water transforms to steam, causing
the particles to increase in volume. The thermal exfoliation
increases the volume usually 10 to 20 times The thermal exfoliation
increases the volume usually 10 to 20 times (Hindman., 2006)
Slide 8
Vermiculite- Typical Chemical Analysis (Hindman., 2006)
Slide 9
Vermiculite- Uses It is used in three primary forms: It is used
in three primary forms: Untreated Concentrate Thermally Exfoliated
The ground products of chemical or thermal exfoliation Vermiculite:
Unexpanded, Expanded and a Single Particle
http://www.vermiculite.net/
Slide 10
Vermiculite- Uses (continued) CONSTRUCTION CONSTRUCTION
Acoustic finishes Acoustic finishes Air setting binder Air setting
binder Board Board Fire protection (internal/external) Fire
protection (internal/external) Floor & roof screeds
(lightweight Floor & roof screeds (lightweight Insulating
concrete) Insulating concrete) Gypsum plaster Gypsum plaster Loft
insulation Loft insulation Sound deadening compounds Sound
deadening compounds http://www.vermiculite.org/uses.htm (Kogel et
al, 2006)
Vermiculite- Uses (continued) INDUSTRIAL INDUSTRIAL Absorbent
packing Absorbent packing Brake pads & brake shoes Brake pads
& brake shoes Castables Castables Dispersions Dispersions
Drilling muds Drilling muds Filtration Filtration Fireproof safes
Fireproof safes Fixation of hazardous material Fixation of
hazardous material Furnaces Furnaces Insulation blocks & shapes
Insulation blocks & shapes Insulation - high & low
temperature Insulation - high & low temperature Molten metal
insulation Molten metal insulation Molded products Molded products
Nuclear waste disposal Nuclear waste disposal Paints Paints Perfume
absorbent Perfume absorbent Sealants Sealants
http://www.vermiculite.org/uses.htm (Kogel et al, 2006)
Slide 14
Vermiculite is used as a packing material because it is
lightweight, it can form around objects, it takes shock well, it
can absorb leaks, and it is not a fire hazard. Vermiculite of
medium grade will improve drainage when added to heavy soils. Fine
grade mixed with peat is a great compost for growing seeds.
Vermiculite also helps fertilizers release more nutrients which is
more economical and efficient. Vermiculite is also used in the
friction industry. Exfoliated Vermiculite is great for thermal
insulation and can withstand temperatures over 1000 degrees
Celsius. Vermiculite is easy and clean to handle, odorless, sound
absorbent, non-abrasive, and will not decay.
http://www.hoben.com/vermiculite/index.htm
Slide 15
Vermiculite- U.S. Occurrences (Hindman, 2006)
Slide 16
Vermiculite- World Occurrences (Hindman, 2006)
Slide 17
http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/commodity/vermiculite/vermimcs06.pdf
Vermiculite- Production
Slide 18
Vermiculite- U.S. Production and Trade (Hindman, 2006)
Slide 19
Vermiculite- Processing
Slide 20
Vermiculite- Production Mining Ore Transport Ore Storage Ore
Screening Product Grinding Concentrate Crushing Ore Blending Wet
Processing Concentrate Drying Concentrate Classifying Concentrate
Storage Exfoliating Product Classifying Product Storage
http://www.epa.gov/ttn/chief/ap42/ch11/final/c11s28.pdf (Kogel et
al., 2006) Most unexfoliated ore (640- 1,120 kg/m 3 ) is shipped in
100-ton hopper railcars in the U.S. and Canada from the mills to
the exfoliation plants. Shipping in 10 to 20 ton trucks is becoming
more frequent. (Hindman, 2006)
Slide 21
Vermiculite- Exfoliation Principle of the Pipe-Exfoliation 1:
unit of dosage 2: heating pipe 3: deflection plates 4: radiation
elements 5: cooling system
http://www.vermiculite-furnaces.com/Exfoliator/exfoliator.html#AnlagenundOfenbau
Vertical furnace: used in United States (Picured below) Rotary drum
furnace: used outside North America (Hindman, 2006)
TABLE 2 ACTIVE VERMICULITE EXFOLIATION PLANTS IN THE UNITED
STATES IN 2005 Company County State Isolatek International, Inc.
Sussex New Jersey. J.P. Austin Associates, Inc. Beaver
Pennsylvania. Palmetto Vermiculite Co., Inc.SpartanburgSouth
Carolina. P.V.P. Industries, Inc. TrumbullOhio. Schundler Co., The
MiddlesexNew Jersey. Southwest Vermiculite Co., Inc.BernalilloNew
Mexico. Sun Gro Horticulture, Inc. JeffersonArkansas. Do. La Salle
Illinois. Thermal Ceramics Inc. MacoupinDo. Thermo-O-Rock East,
Inc. WashingtonPennsylvania. Thermo-O-Rock West, Inc.
MaricopaArizona. Verlite Co. HillsboroughFlorida. Vermiculite
Industrial Corp.AlleghenyPennsylvania. Whittemore Co., Inc. Essex
Massachusetts. W.R. Grace & Co. MaricopaArizona. Do.
BrowardFlorida. Do. GreenvilleSouth Carolina.
http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/commodity/vermiculite/vermimyb05.pdf
Slide 25
TABLE 3 ESTIMATED EXFOLIATED VERMICULITE SOLD OR USED IN THE
UNITED STATES, BY END USE 1 (Metric tons) 2004 2005
Aggregates224,30022,300 Insulation3W W Agricultural:
Horticultural22,20024,600 Soil conditioning22,800W Fertilizer
carrier W W Total WW Other49,830 12,500 Grand total5 90,000 85,000
W Withheld to avoid disclosing company proprietary data; included
in "Grand total." 1Data rounded to no more than three significant
digits; may not add to totals shown. 2Includes concrete, plaster,
and premixes (acoustic insulation, fireproofing, and texturizing
uses). 3Includes loose-fill, block, and other (high-temperature and
packing insulation and sealants). 4Includes various industrial and
other uses not specified. 5Rounded to two significant digits
because of estimated data.
http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/commodity/vermiculite/vermimyb05.pdf
Slide 26
Vermiculite- Geologic description Most mines today are deposits
that were formed in the pre-Cambrian and Archean (1.5-3.0 billion
years ago). Most mines today are deposits that were formed in the
pre-Cambrian and Archean (1.5-3.0 billion years ago). Palabora
region, South Africa Northwestern corners of China Eastern
Appalachian range in U.S. (Virginia and South Carolina) Younger
deposits are Triassic in age (225million years ago) Younger
deposits are Triassic in age (225million years ago) Libby, Montana
deposit (Kogel et al., 2006)
Slide 27
Vermiculite- Geologic description The formation of vermiculite
is basically the supergene alteration of biotite at near surface
conditions. (Hindman, 2006) The formation of vermiculite is
basically the supergene alteration of biotite at near surface
conditions. (Hindman, 2006) When biotite turns into vermiculite,
there is a 10% to 40% volume increase of particle size. (Hindman,
2006) When biotite turns into vermiculite, there is a 10% to 40%
volume increase of particle size. (Hindman, 2006) It will not form
as a primary mineral, and it is not stable under hydrothermal
conditions. (Roy and Romo, 1957) It will not form as a primary
mineral, and it is not stable under hydrothermal conditions. (Roy
and Romo, 1957)
Slide 28
Vermiculite- Exploration Near surface Near surface Large grain
size for commercial criteria-look at structures that contain large
biotite crystals Large grain size for commercial criteria-look at
structures that contain large biotite crystals Ultramafic
intrusives: Coarse-grained pyroxenites; metamorphic bodies with
biotite schists and gneisses. Ultramafic intrusives: Coarse-grained
pyroxenites; metamorphic bodies with biotite schists and gneisses.
(Hindman, 2006)
Slide 29
Vermiculite- Exploration Bush (1976): Three Classes Type 1
deposits: in large ultramafic intrusions such as pyroxenite. These
are often zoned. (Libby, Montana and Phalaborwa, Republic of South
Africa) Type 2 deposits: formed in smaller ultramafic intrusions
(dunite, peridotite, and unzoned pyroxenite). (North Carolina) Type
3 deposits: formed from metamorphic rocks (biotite schists and
amphibole schists). (Enoree, South Carolina; Elk Gulch, Montana;
most deposits in Colorado, Nevada, Texas, and Wyoming.) Borovikov
(1962): Four Groups Group 1: deposits in ultrabasic and alkaline
rock complexes. (Major deposits at Kovdor and Buldym in Russia.)
Group 2: deposits in altered carbonate rock. Group 3: occurrences
in reaction zones of pegmatites, talc, corundum, asbestos, and
other deposits, and also in metasomatic veins in serpentines. Group
4: deposits and occurrences in micaceous gneisses and other
metamorphic rocks. (Hindman, 2006)
Slide 30
Vermiculite- Health Risks? There are no health risks known for
general handling and exposure to vermiculite. There are no health
risks known for general handling and exposure to vermiculite.
Vermiculite was found with the asbestiform amphibole minerals of
the Rainy Creek vermiculite ore body near Libby, Montana. Health
issues associated with the asbestos and former mine workers
resulted in shutting the Libby mine down (1921-1990). Vermiculite
was found with the asbestiform amphibole minerals of the Rainy
Creek vermiculite ore body near Libby, Montana. Health issues
associated with the asbestos and former mine workers resulted in
shutting the Libby mine down (1921-1990). (Hindman, 2006)
Slide 31
http://www.fafard.com/
Slide 32
References: Bush. 1976. Vermiculite in the United States. Pages
146-155 in 11 th Industrial Minerals Forum. Special Publication 74.
Montana Bureau of Mines. Bush. 1976. Vermiculite in the United
States. Pages 146-155 in 11 th Industrial Minerals Forum. Special
Publication 74. Montana Bureau of Mines. Borovikov, P.P. 1962.
Genetic types, conditions of formation and economic evaluation of
vermiculite deposits. Pages 139-176 in Perlite and Vermiculite
(Geology, Exploration and Production Technology.) Edited by V.Kh.
Daragan. Translated from Russian. New Delhi: Indian National
scientific Documentation Centre. Borovikov, P.P. 1962. Genetic
types, conditions of formation and economic evaluation of
vermiculite deposits. Pages 139-176 in Perlite and Vermiculite
(Geology, Exploration and Production Technology.) Edited by V.Kh.
Daragan. Translated from Russian. New Delhi: Indian National
scientific Documentation Centre. Conrad Fafard, Inc.
http://www.fafard.com/ (accessed March 26, 2007) Conrad Fafard,
Inc. http://www.fafard.com/ (accessed March 26,
2007)http://www.fafard.com/ Hoben International.
http://www.hoben.com/vermiculite/index.htm (accessed March 2, 2007)
Hoben International. http://www.hoben.com/vermiculite/index.htm
(accessed March 2, 2007)http://www.hoben.com/vermiculite/index.htm
Hindman, James R. 2006. Vermiculite: Industrial Minerals and Rocks:
Commodities, Markets, and Uses. Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and
Exploration, Inc. Hindman, James R. 2006. Vermiculite: Industrial
Minerals and Rocks: Commodities, Markets, and Uses. Society for
Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration, Inc. Ks Chimney.
http://www.kschimney.com/store/product.php?pid=333#pdetail
(accessed February 28, 2007 Ks Chimney.
http://www.kschimney.com/store/product.php?pid=333#pdetail
(accessed February 28,
2007http://www.kschimney.com/store/product.php?pid=333#pdetail
Kogel, Jessica E., Trividi, Nikhil C., Barker, James M., and
Krukowski, Stanley T. 2006. Industrial Minerals and Rocks:
Commodities, Markets, and Uses. Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and
Exploration, Inc. Kogel, Jessica E., Trividi, Nikhil C., Barker,
James M., and Krukowski, Stanley T. 2006. Industrial Minerals and
Rocks: Commodities, Markets, and Uses. Society for Mining,
Metallurgy, and Exploration, Inc. Potter, M. J., 2007. U. S.
Geological Survey Minerals Yearbook-2005: U. S. Department of the
Interior. Potter, M. J., 2007. U. S. Geological Survey Minerals
Yearbook-2005: U. S. Department of the Interior.
http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/commodity/vermiculite/vermimyb05.pdf
(accessed February 13, 2007)
http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/commodity/vermiculite/vermimyb05.pdf
Roy, R., and L.A. Romo. 1957. Weathering studies. 1. New data on
vermiculite. Journal of Geology 65:603-610. Roy, R., and L.A. Romo.
1957. Weathering studies. 1. New data on vermiculite. Journal of
Geology 65:603-610. Vermiculite Home Page for Information about
Vermiculite---A Mineral with Many Uses: Naturally Occuring, Safe,
and Plentiful. http://www.vermiculite.net/ (accessed February 13,
2007) Vermiculite Home Page for Information about Vermiculite---A
Mineral with Many Uses: Naturally Occuring, Safe, and Plentiful.
http://www.vermiculite.net/ (accessed February 13, 2007)
http://www.vermiculite.net/ The Vermiculite Association.
http://www.vermiculite.org/ (accessed February 13, 2007) The
Vermiculite Association. http://www.vermiculite.org/ (accessed
February 13, 2007)http://www.vermiculite.org/ Vermiculite (Hydrated
Magnesium Iron Aluminum Silicate Hydroxide).
http://mineral.galleries.com/minerals/silicate/vermicul/vermicul.htm
(accessed February 26, 2007) Vermiculite (Hydrated Magnesium Iron
Aluminum Silicate Hydroxide).
http://mineral.galleries.com/minerals/silicate/vermicul/vermicul.htm
(accessed February 26, 2007)
http://mineral.galleries.com/minerals/silicate/vermicul/vermicul.htm
Yanxi Minerals Co. Ltd. http://www.chinavermiculite.com/ (accessed
March 2, 2007) Yanxi Minerals Co. Ltd.
http://www.chinavermiculite.com/ (accessed March 2,
2007)http://www.chinavermiculite.com/ 77 Hydro.
http://77hydro-store.stores.yahoo.net/med038.html (accessed
February 28, 2007) 77 Hydro.
http://77hydro-store.stores.yahoo.net/med038.html (accessed
February 28,
2007)http://77hydro-store.stores.yahoo.net/med038.html