CARACTERIZACAO DA DIATOMITA DE RIO DO FOGO - RN - BRASIL

• Published in: Holos (Natal, RN) RN), 2009-01, Vol.25 (3), p.52-52
• Main Authors: da Silva, Paula Luciana Bezerra, de Sousa, Lidia Dely Alves, Pinheiro, Viviane da Silva, Harima, Eiji, Leite, Jose Yvan Pereira
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1807-1600

The diatomite is a substance amorphous obtained from shells or skelectons sediment of algae diatomaceus. The diatomite has a great variety of applications due to its physical and chemical properties being used as auxiliary filter, acoustic insulation, cargo industry, abrasive and others. This works presents results of characterization of two diatomite samples, from Rio do Fogo in Barra de Punau town in Rio Grande do Norte, that presented the colors white and cream after calcination. The samples were calcined at temperatures of 900 degree C, 950 degree C and 1000 degree C. The samples presented results of X-ray diffraction, chemical analysis, bulk density and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).The cream diatomite presented higther apparent density with 0.4 g / cm 3, while the white diatomite 0.3 g / cm 3.For results of loss to fire showed that cream diatomite has a great percentage of loss in relation to white. With this results is possible to identify the of potentiality this mineral in state and seek new applications. KEY-WORDS: diatomite, characterization e calcination.