Evaluation of the chemical and thermo-physical properties of locally aggregated kaolin-based refractory materials

A. A. Olalere; S. S. Yaru; O. A. Dahunsi

doi:10.15282/jmes.13.1.2019.27.0397

Authors

A. A. Olalere Mechanical Engineering Department, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State, NIGERIA Phone: +2348162539990
S. S. Yaru Mechanical Engineering Department, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State, NIGERIA Phone: +2348162539990
O. A. Dahunsi Mechanical Engineering Department, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State, NIGERIA Phone: +2348162539990

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15282/jmes.13.1.2019.27.0397

Keywords:

Evaluation, chemical, PIXE, kaolin, termite

Abstract

There is a continuous demand for refractory materials to meet the increasing expansion of industries and plants. Local clay materials are being explored to augment the inadequate supply of refractory materials. This study therefore evaluated the suitability of locally aggregated kaolin as refractory material. The kaolin was aggregated from Ipinsa kaolin, termite hill materials and bentonite in the ratio 5:4:1 by mass. Chemical analysis carried out on the materials using Proton Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE) Equipment revealed that the kaolin aggregate had a composition of 37.22% alumina (Al₂O₃) and 51.93% silica (SiO₂). The Ipinsa kaolin comprised Al₂O₃ at 43.05% and SiO₂ 53.91%, termite hill material (Al₂O₃ 22.69%, SiO₂ 58.83%) and bentonite had 23.10% Al₂O₃ and 55.40% SiO₂. It shows that Ipinsa kaolin can be used for refractory materials in furnaces, kilns and stoves while the aggregated clay can be used in applications requiring more superior refractory properties. The thermo-physical analysis of the aggregated clay revealed a bulk density of 1.84 g/cm³, apparent porosity 31.54%, linear shrinkage 4.00%, thermal shock resistance 40⁺ and refactoriness 1900 ^oC. The refractoriness indicated that the aggregated clay is also suitable for use as ceramic fibre within the temperature range of 1800 and 2000 ^oC.

References

Garbers-Craig AM. Presidential address: how cool are refractory materials? The Journal of Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy 2008;108(9):1-16.

Aderibigbe A, Chukwuogo, B. Potentials of some Nigerian clay deposits as refractory material for steel industry. In Proceedings of Nigerian Society Engineers 1984;132-138.

Omowumi OJ. Characterization of some Nigerian clay as refractory materials for furnace lining. Nigerian Journal of Engineering Management 2001;2(3): 1-4.

Murray HH. Common clay in: Carr dd ed. industrial minerals and rocks. Littleton, Colorado. Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration 1994:247–248.

Yami AM, Umar, S. Characterization of some Nigerian clays as refractory materials for furnace lining. Continental Journal Engineering Sciences 2007;2(3):30–35.

Arogundade BA, Adebimpe RA, Fashuba AO. An investigation into the effects of various additives on the refractory properties of Ara-Ekiti clay. Ekiti state. Journal of Engineering Technology and Industrial Application 2000;1(2):188-194.

Nnuka EE, Agbo UJE. Evaluation of the refractory characteristics of Otukpo clay deposits. Nigerian Society of Engineers Technical Transaction 2000; 35(2):34-41

Iyasara AC, Ekeyem SC, Geofrey O, Benjamin N. Influence of grog size on the performance of Nsu clay-based dense refractory bricks. American Journal of Materials Science and Engineering 2016; 4(1):7-12.

Titiladunayo IF, Fapetu OP. Selection of appropriate clay for furnace lining in a pyroiysis process. Journal of Emerging Trends in Engineering and Applied Science 2011;2(6): 938-945

Ogunniyi IO. Development of laboratory bench-top electric heating furnace. Unpublished Master’s Degree Thesis, Metallurgical and Material Engineering Department, Federal University of Technology, Akure; 2003.

Borode JO, Onyemeobi OO, Omotoyinbo JA. Suitability of some Nigerian clays as refractory raw materials. Journal of Engineering Management. 2000;1(2):14 - 18

Okoli PN. Development and production of refractory crucibles from Nigerian kaolin. Journal of Engineering Technology and Industrial Applications 2000;1(2):12 -16.

Folorunso DO, Olubambi PO, Borode JO. Characterization and qualitative analysis of some Nigerian clay deposits for refractory application. Journal of Applied Chemistry 2014;7(9):40-47.

Manukaji JU. The effects of sawdust addition on the insulating characteristics of clays from the federal capital territory of Abuja. International Journal of Engineering Research and Applications 2013;3(2):6-9.

Akinlabi O, Olanrewaju B, Akinola AO. Modeling dry compressive strength of sodium silicate bonded kaolin refractory bricks. Journals of Innovative Systems Design and Engineering 2013;4(3):13-19.

Ijagbemi CO. Development and Performance Evaluation of Biomass Clay Lined Cook stove, Master Degree Thesis. Mechanical Engineering Department, Federal University of Technology, Akure; 2002

Delta Steel Company Limited, Aladja. Physical and chemical properties of some Nigerian clays. National Steel Raw Materials Agency Delta, Zonal Office; 1984.

Sadik C, Albizane A, El Amrani I. Production of porous firebrick from mixing clay and recycled refractory waste with expanded perlite addition. Journal of Materials and Environmental Sciences 2013;4(6):981-986.

Jo O, Philip AC. Performance evaluation of refractory bricks produced from locally sourced clay materials. Journal of Applied Science and Environmental Management 2014;18(2):151-157.

Jock AA, Ayeni FA, Jongs LS, Kangpe NS. Development of refractory bricks from Nigerian Nafuta clay deposit. International journal of materials, methods and technologies 2013;1(10):189-195

Nuhu AA, Abdullahi TA. Estimation of the effect of kaolin clay addition on the mechanical properties of foundry moulding sand bonded with grades 3 and 4 Nigerian gum Arabic (Acacia species). Middle-East Journal of Scientific Research 2008;3(3):126-133.

Atanda P, Adeniyi O, Oluwole O. Development of heat treatment refractory bricks using local Nigerian clays. International Journal of Materials and Chemistry 2012;2(5): 185-191.

Oke SR, Talabi HK, Olorunniwo OE, Atanda PO, Aramide FO. Production and characterization of clay bonded carbon refractory from Ifon clay and spent graphite electrode. International Journal of Metallurgical Engineering 2015;4(2):33-39.

Olajide OI, Mchael OB, Terna TD. Production and characterization of aluminosilicate refractory brick using Unwana beach silica sand, Ekebedi and Unwana clays. British Journal of Applied Science and Technology 2015;5(5):461-471.

Abubakar I, Brinin Yauri UA, Faruq UZ, Noma SS, Sharif N. Characterization of Dabagi clay deposit for its ceramic potential. African Journal of Environmental Science and Technology 2014;8(8):455-459.

Mathew GO, Owoeye SS. Characterization of Abaji clay deposits for refractory applications. Leonard Electronic Journal of Practices and Technologies. 2016;15(29):115-126.

Aramide FO, Seidu SO. Production of refractory lining for diesel fired rotary furnace, from locally sourced kaolin and potter's clay. Journal of Minerals and Material Characterization and Engineering 2013;1:75-79

Ndaliman MB. Some studies in refractory properties of termite hills in Nigeria. Nigeria Journal of Education and Techology 2001;2(1&2):44-46.

Babalola JB, Folorunso DO, Bodurin MO, Balogun OP. Property evaluation of Igbara-Odo clay for refractories. International Journal of Engineering and Technical Research 2014;2(1):79-82.

Kipsanai JJ, Namango SS, Muumbo AM. A study of selected Kenyan anthill clays for the production of refractory materials. International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications 2017;7(9):169-179.

Obiajunwa EI, Adebajo AC, Omobuwajo OR. Essential and trace element contents of some nigerian medicinal plants. Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry 2002; 252(3):473-476

Obiajunwa EI, Nwachwu JI. Simultaneous PIXE and PIGME analysis of a Nigerian tar sand sample from a deep borehole. Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry 2000;245(3):659-661.

Obiajunwa EI. Analysis of some Nigerian solid minerals ores by energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy. Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section B: Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms 2001;184(3):437-440.

Obiajunwa EI, Adebiyi FM, Omode PE. Determination of essential minerals and trace elements in Nigerian sesame seeds, using TXRF technique. Pakistan Journal of Nutrition. 2005;4(6):393-395

Alhassan Y, Tsafe AI, Brinin-Yauri UA, Okunola OJ, Yargamji GI, Yebpella GG, Ndana M. EDXRF analysis of tantalite deposit of Mai-Kabanji, north-western Nigeria. Journal of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology 2010;2(7):117-119.

Campbell JL, Babaluk JA, Cooper M, Grime GW, Halden NM. Strontium distribution in young-of-the-year Dolly Varden otoliths: Potential for stock discrimination. Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section B 2002;189(1-4):185-189.

Ugheoke BI, Onche EO, Namessan ON, Asikpo GA. Property optimization of kaolin-rice husk insulating fire-bricks. Leonardo Electronic Journal of Practices and Technologies 2006;5(9):167-178.

Chesters JH. Refractory production and properties. The Iron and Steel Institute. London;1973.

Amkpa JA, Badarulzaman NA. Thermal conductivity of Barkin-Ladi fireclay bricks as refractory lining. IOSR Journal of Mechanical and Civil Engineering 2017;14(2):01-05

ASTM. Standard methods for drying and fired shrinkages of ceramic whiteware clays. (Designation:C326). 2001;15:02

Jock AA, Ayeni FA, Ahmed AS, Sullayman UA. Evaluation of the refractory properties of Nigerian Ozanagogo clay deposit. Journal of Minerals and Materials Characterization and Engineering 2013;1(6):321-325

ASTM. Standard test method for pyrometric cone equivalent of fireclay and high-alumina refractory material (CO8.02) 2018;15.01

Aliyu S, Garba B, Danshehu BG, Isa AD. Studies on the chemical and physical characteristics of some selected clay samples. International Journal of Engineering Research and Technology 2013;2(7):171-183.

Hassan MA, Yami AM, Raji A, Ngala MJ. Effects of sawdust and rice husk additives on properties of local refractory clay. The International Journal of Engineering and Science 2014;3(8):40-44.

Sayel MF, Ghasi SA, Suleiman QA. Improvement of the refractoriness under load of fire-clay refractory bricks. Advanced Theoretical and Applied Mechanics 2012;5(4):161-172.

Adejumo JA, Obioh IO, Ogunsola OJ, Akeredolu FA, Olaniyi HB. The atmospheric deposition of major and minor trace elements within and around cement factories. Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear. Chemistry 1994;179(2):195-204.

Agboola JB, Abubakre OK. Investigation of appropriate refractory material for laboratory electric resistance furnace. Leonard Journal of Sciences 2009.8(14):235-243.