Characterization Of Nigerian Feldspar

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:

1. 1. To determine the suitability of feldspar glass and ceramic production

1. 1. 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.