US-Egypt Cooperative Research: Preparation of Some Diatomaceous Earth Products for Special Industrial Applications

0329136 PowersDescription：该奖项支持佛罗里达盖恩斯维尔的佛罗里达大学粒子工程研究中心（PERC）的Kevin Powers博士和埃及赫勒万的中央冶金研究与发展研究所的Suzan Ibrahim博士之间的联合研究项目。 他们计划进行研究，包括两个等级（一个高等级和一个低等级）的北非硅藻土矿床的提纯、表征和评价，这是一种沉积存款，由死硅藻的无定形含水二氧化硅细胞壁组成，具有低密度、高孔隙度和高表面积的理想特性。 这些特性加上它们的惰性，耐磨性和其他特性使它们在各种工业和家庭应用中极具价值。 埃及小组将重点研究矿石的提纯。 美国团队将通过颗粒表征、渗透性测试、电子显微镜和其他测试来评估这种材料的有效性和质量。 适用范围：硅藻土或硅藻土是细粒硅质沉积岩，主要由无定形乳白色二氧化硅和少量有机残留物、次生矿物以及共同沉积的非硅藻土或结晶碎屑碎屑组成。一般来说，对于高品位矿石，采用温和的破碎，然后干燥，并在某些米尔斯中研磨，以避免矿石破坏。低品位的矿石必须进行湿法处理以去除伴随的污染物。 在广泛的市场最终用途中提供独特商业价值的经加工的木材的物理性质包括华丽的精细结构、低堆积密度以及高孔隙率和表面积。 其他性能是轻微的磨损性，高吸收能力，绝缘能力，相对惰性和高亮度。 最终用途市场是多样化的，从绝缘砖和吸收剂到质量敏感的过滤助剂和优质功能填料。新的重要用途包括质粒DNA的纯化、高性能吸附剂。这是美国和埃及经济上重要的矿物。 根据这一建议进行的研究将使人们更好地了解净化过程和所得产品的特性。 研究结果将通过出版物在两国传播，并通过研讨会和与这两个机构有关的本科生的参与在PERC内传播。

0329136PowersDescription: This award supports a joint research project between Dr. Kevin Powers, Particles Engineering Research Center (PERC), University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida and Dr. Suzan Ibrahim, Central Metallurgical Research and Development Institute, Helwan, Egypt. They plan to conduct studies involving the beneficiation, characterization and evaluation of two grades (one high grade and on low grade) of North African deposits of diatomaceous earth, a sedimentary deposit made up of amorphous hydrous silica cell walls of dead diatoms with desirable characteristics of low density, high porosity, and high surface area. These characteristics coupled with their inertness, abrasiveness and other characteristics make them extremely valuable in diverse industrial and domestic applications. The Egyptian team will focus on the beneficiation of the ore material. The U.S. team will be in evaluating the effectiveness and quality of the beneficiated material through particle characterization, permeability testing, electron microscopy and other testing. Scope: Diatomaceous earth or diatomite is fine-grained siliceous sedimentary rock consisting primarily of amorphous opaline silica with minor amounts of organic residue, secondary minerals, as well as co-deposited non-diatomaceous or crystalline clastic debris. Generally, for high-grade ores, gentle crushing is applied, followed by drying, and milling in certain mills to avoid ore destruction. Ores of low-grade have to be wet processed to remove the accompanied contaminants. Physical properties of processed diatomite that provide unique commercial value in a broad spectrum of market end-uses include ornate fine structure, low bulk density, and high porosity and surface area. Other properties are mild abrasiveness, high absorptive capacity, insulating ability, relative inertness, and high brightness. End-use markets are diverse and range from insulating brick and absorbents through quality sensitive filter aids and premium quality functional fillers. New significant uses include purification of plasmid DNA, high performance adsorbents. This is an economically important mineral in both the United States and Egypt. The research under this proposal will provide better understanding of the beneficiation processes and the characteristics of the resulting products. The research results will be disseminated in both countries via publications and within the PERC by seminars and participation of undergraduate students associated with the two institutions.