Introduction
to
Applied Mineralogy
A short series of lectures prepared for the Third year of
Geology, Tanta University
2013- 2014
by
Hassan Z. Harraz
Acknowledgments I acknowledge gratefully the extent to which I have leant on the work contained in several good text books:
Applied Mineralogy: Applications in Industry and Environment by Mukherjee, S., 2011.
Springer, 572p.
Industrial minerals and their uses: a handbook and formulary by Ciullo , P. A.,1996. Noyes
Publications-USA
From Technology Through Machinery to Kilns for SACMI Tile by Anonymous, 1995. Vol.1 &
2, SACMI, Imola, Italy
Materials Handbook by Brady, G.S., and Clauser, H.R., 1977. 11th Ed., McGraw-Hill, New
York
Industrial Minerals and Rocks, Edited by Carr, D.D. 1994, 6th Ed., Society for Mining,
Metallurgy, and Exploration, Inc., Littleton, CO
Rock-Forming Minerals by Deer, W.A., Howie, R.A., Zussman, J., 1978. Vols. 1-5, Wiley, New
York
Applied Clay Mineralogy by Grim, R.E., 1962. McGraw-Hill, New York
Chemistry of Clays and Clay Minerals by Newman, A.C.D. (ed.), 1987. Wiley, New York
Applied Mineralogy and the industrial use of Minerals by Nickel, K. G. Geology Vol.III,
EOLSS.
13 March 2014 Prof. Dr. H.Z. Harraz Presentation Applied Mineralogy, Introduction 2
Outline of lectures:
Topic 1: Concepts of an applied mineralogy
Topic 2: Reviewed the most common minerals of important industrial
applications.
Topic 3: Mineralogical materials science; Processing and Specific Role of a
mineralogist in row materials production
Topic 4: Ceramic processing
Topic 5: Glass processing
Topic 6: Cement processing
Topic 7: Environmental behavior of raw materials and social concerns
13 March 2014 Prof. Dr. H.Z. Harraz Presentation Applied Mineralogy, Introduction 3
Keywords:
13 March 2014 Prof. Dr. H.Z. Harraz Presentation Applied Mineralogy, Introduction 4
Applied Mineralogy
Technical Mineralogy;
Mineral Processing;
Materials Sciences;
Materials Properties;
Ceramics;
Phase Analysis;
Chemical Analysis
Aims of Course:
13 March 2014 Prof. Dr. H.Z. Harraz Presentation Applied Mineralogy, Introduction 5
Applied Mineralogy course : Reviewed the most common minerals of important industrial
applications. The Industrial Use of Natural Non-Ore Minerals Mineralogical Materials Science and Processing Environmental Behavior of raw materials.
All will help you to provide product development professionals – novice
and seasoned − with a better understanding of their mineral raw materials.
Many important technical products of industry come from the use of
natural occurring minerals, the use of some of the most common minerals will be reviewed .
My hope is that through this understanding they can develop their skills in matching the most appropriate minerals to their applications while gaining an appreciation of both the common ground and differences in approach they have with counterparts in industries other than their own.
Topic 1: Concepts of an Applied Mineralogy
13 March 2014 Prof. Dr. H.Z. Harraz Presentation Applied Mineralogy, Introduction 6
A short series of lectures prepared for the
Third year of Geology, Tanta University
2013- 2014
by
Hassan Z. Harraz
Outline of Topic 1:
13 March 2014 Prof. Dr. H.Z. Harraz Presentation Applied Mineralogy, Introduction 7
We will explore all of the above in Topic 1.
How much metal is available? What is a mineral? What is Applied Mineralogy?
What Applied Mineralogy is not…
History Review of some mineralogical Concepts
Minerals
13 March 2014 Prof. Dr. H.Z. Harraz Presentation Applied Mineralogy, Introduction 8
Natural
Solid
Inorganic
Definite chemical
composition
Crystal structure due to
internal arrangement of
atoms
http://www.minerals.net/gemstone/index.htm
13 March 2014 Prof. Dr. H.Z. Harraz Presentation Applied Mineralogy, Introduction 9
http://www.mii.org/www.mii.org
Common uses include:
13 March 2014 Prof. Dr. H.Z. Harraz Presentation Applied Mineralogy, Introduction 10
Aluminum → packaging, transport, building
Beryllium → gemstones, fluorescent lights
Copper → electric cables, wires, switches
Feldspar→ glass and ceramics
Iron → buildings, automobiles, magnets
Calcite → toothpaste, construction
http://www.mii.org/commonminerals.php
What is Applied Mineralogy?
13 March 2014 Prof. Dr. H.Z. Harraz Presentation Applied Mineralogy, Introduction 11
Applied Mineralogy is the science aiming: i) to study problems related to the use of mineral resources at the service of mankind and ii) to study the impact of human activities on the mineral world.
Of particular interest are those problems related to the exploration, exploitation and processing of mineral resources on one hand and the problems related to health, mineral waste disposal and geomaterials alteration on the other hand.
In all these problems, applied mineralogy is characterized by a mineral-based approach.
By mineralogical approach, we mean a description of any material in terms of mineral phases. This deals with the identification of :
the nature of mineral phases, the determination of their grain size, shape and structural arrangement
(texture analysis). As a corollary, applied mineralogy is also concerned with the development of instruments and sensing technologies that allow to quantify such properties at lab or process level.
Because applied mineralogy mostly relates to a microscopical analysis of large-scale problems it is essential that representatively issues be discussed. Sampling theory, statistical process control and upscaling of physical properties are of major interest to this research field.
Definition:
13 March 2014 Prof. Dr. H.Z. Harraz Presentation Applied Mineralogy, Introduction 12
Applied mineralogy is mineralogical materials science…………
It concentrates on anorganic non-metal materials and comprises all
aspects of their analysis, sampling, preparation, synthesis, property
determination and evaluation.
Applied mineralogy overlaps with the appropriate sections of other
physic-chemical, technical and life sciences.
Identification of mineral resources
Processing of mineral resources Properties of use of mineral materials
Development of instrumentation Environmental incidence of mineral materials Cultural heritage
13 March 2014 Prof. Dr. H.Z. Harraz Presentation Applied Mineralogy, Introduction 13
Applied mineralogy and identification of mineral resources
Mineralogy takes its roots from the description of naturally occurring phases.
In that sense, applied mineralogy is particularly concerned with those minerals occurring in nature and having an impact on human activities (economic mineralogy, environmental mineralogy,…).
Applied mineralogy and processing of mineral resources
An important topic in applied mineralogy is the follow up of minerals in industrial processes.
This includes the use of mineralogical / petrographical tools in analyzing :
Sub-products from mineral processing circuits.
Products and wastes/slags from hydro- or pyro-metallurgical processes.
Fired mineral materials : glass, ceramics, refractories, clinker, bricks, …
Hydrated mineral materials : cement, plaster, …
Cut and polished minerals : gems, ornamental stone ,…
13 March 2014 Prof. Dr. H.Z. Harraz Presentation Applied Mineralogy, Introduction 14
Applied mineralogy and properties of use of mineral materials
Both natural and synthetic minerals are used in many products as fillers, extenders, hydraulic bonding agents, etc.
Applied mineralogy is concerned with the study of relationships between the mineral/microscopical properties and the physical properties of such materials :
Optical properties
Abrasive properties
Mechanical (compression, tension,…) properties of building materials
Mechanical (compression, tension,…) properties of composite materials
Alteration of building materials (ornamental stones, concrete,..)
Applied mineralogy and environmental incidence of mineral materials
At each step of the industrial cycle (extraction, production, use and destruction of mineral materials) wastes are produced. These wastes enter the environment and interact with the biosphere, the atmosphere, the hydrosphere and impact on earth sustainability.
Applied mineralogy is concerned with studies of :
Minerals synthetized within or entering the human body.
Studies of emission dust and nanoparticles emitted into the atmosphere (natural and synthetic) and their impact on climate or health.
Studies of acid mine drainage mineralogy and its impact on heavy metal drainage or immobilization
Geomaterials produced to fix radioactive or toxic elements and their durability.
Mineral barriers used to contain radioactive or toxic elements and their durability.
Mineral waste materials and their diagenesis.
Note
13 March 2014 Prof. Dr. H.Z. Harraz Presentation Applied Mineralogy, Introduction 15
• Compounding raw materials can be toxic, and therefore due caution should always be exercised in the use of these hazardous materials.
• Final determination of the suitability of any information or product for use contemplated by any user, and the manner of that use is the sole responsibility of the user.
• We strongly recommend that users seek and adhere to a manufacturer’s or supplier’s current instructions for handling each material they use.
13 March 2014 Prof. Dr. H.Z. Harraz Presentation Applied Mineralogy, Introduction 16
Applied mineralogy and cultural heritage
Archaeometry,
Ornamental stone
Applied mineralogy and the development of instrumentation
A mineralogical approach to material analysis will only attract
attention if corresponding equipments for mineral quantification /
identification are made available. Because of its applied nature,
applied mineralogy is particularly concerned by the development
of quantitative instruments and instruments that can be put on-
line or automated (at least in the long term). Instruments
requiring large scale facilities (synchrotron radiation, etc…) are
less concerned.
Quantitative instrumentation cannot be recognized in the
industrial world if it does not evolve towards recommendations
about standards, norms,.. and if it does not state the accuracy of
the method. The community of applied mineralogists should
therefore promote round robin tests among its members.
Essential techniques used in applied mineralogy include :
Optical Microscopy
Electron Microscopy
Micro-analysis techniques in SEM or TEM conditions (EDX,
WDX, EBSP, CL,…)
X-Ray Diffraction
Size distribution analysis techniques
Porosity and pore size distribution analysis techniques
Signal and image analysis techniques (Rietveld refinement,
Liberation analysis, etc.)
What Applied Mineralogy is not…
13 March 2014 Prof. Dr. H.Z. Harraz Presentation Applied Mineralogy, Introduction 17
Applied Mineralogy is not concerned with:
Systematic classification of minerals,
Inventary of mineral species,
Synthetization of new mineral compounds,
Crystallographical computations and simulations,
………. etc.
In a more general sense, applied mineralogy is not concerned with mineralogical investigations of natural (geological) processes without any reference to the potential use or potential environmental impact of such mineral materials.
History
13 March 2014 Prof. Dr. H.Z. Harraz Presentation Applied Mineralogy, Introduction 18
Applied mineralogy is as ancient as humankind if we consider that the proper choice of a material for making a tool implied already some kind of "applied mineralogy" knowledge.
But, of course, considering that Applied Mineralogy can only result from a proper understanding of our mineralogical environment we cannot refer to the field before the XVIIth century.
Padre Alonso Barba's "El arte de los metales" or Henkel's "Pyrotologia" textbooks are some important landmarks in the understanding of minerals and their link with mineral processing or metallurgy.
But the first book that explicitly refers to the expression of Applied Mineralogy is probably the one of C.P. Brard written in 1821 and entitled:
"Minéralogie Appliquée aux Arts"
ou Histoire des minéraux qui sont employés dans l'agriculture, l'économie domestique, la médecine; la fabrication des sels, des combustibles et des métaux; l'architecture et la décoration; la peinture et le dessin; les arts
mécaniques; la bijouterie et la joaillerie.
Review of Concepts:
13 March 2014 Prof. Dr. H.Z. Harraz Presentation Applied Mineralogy, Introduction 19
1. Minerals can be identified by
examining….. Physical Properties, including….
Luster, Hardness, Cleavage, Color,
Streak, Density….
2. Minerals are classified according to
their….. Chemical Composition, including groups
like…. Native Elements, Sulfides, Oxides,
and the all important SILICATES
3. The “Basic Building Block” of
the Silicate Minerals is…..
Mineral Groups
13 March 2014 Prof. Dr. H.Z. Harraz Presentation Applied Mineralogy, Introduction 20
Rock-forming minerals
~30 common minerals make up most rocks in Earth’s crust
Composed mainly of the 8 elements that make up over 98% of the crust
Silicates (most abundant)
Non-silicates (~8% of Earth’s crust):
Native elements (monoelemental composition--lack of anion; single elements;
e.g., Au)
Oxides ( main anion is O2-)
Hydroxides ( main anion complex is OH-)
Carbonates ( main anion is the oxyacid anion, (CO3)2-)
Halides (main anion is Cl-, F-, Br- or I-)
Sulfates (SO4)2-
Sulfides, sulfarsenides, arsenides, sulfosalts ( main anion is S2- or As3-)
Borates ( the oxyacid anion, BxOy-z)
Nitrates ( the oxyacid anion, NO3-1)
Phosphates ( oxyacid anion, PO4-3)
Tungstates ( the oxyacid anion, WO4-2)
Silicates ( the oxyacid anion, SixOy-z)
13 March 2014 Prof. Dr. H.Z. Harraz Presentation Applied Mineralogy, Introduction 21
Ferromagnesian
Silicates (Fe, Mg)
Non-ferromagnesian
Silicates (K, Na, Ca, Al)
Oxides
Carbonates
Sulfides/sulfates
Native elements
Silica Structure
13 March 2014 Prof. Dr. H.Z. Harraz Presentation Applied Mineralogy, Introduction 22
• 4 oxygen atoms for every 1 silicon atom
• The basic building block of the
silicates is the silica tetrahedron.
• Each silicon atom is attached to
four oxygen atoms by tetahedral
bonds. This results in a 4- charge
on the SiO4 group.
13 March 2014 Prof. Dr. H.Z. Harraz Presentation Applied Mineralogy, Introduction 23
Quartz Mica
KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH,F,Cl)2
SiO2
Can you find the “silica” ?
13 March 2014 Prof. Dr. H.Z. Harraz Presentation Applied Mineralogy, Introduction 24
Olivine
Feldspar,
Quartz
Micas
Amphibole
(Hornblende)
Pyroxenes
(Augite)
Complexity Temp.
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