vermiculite definition: definition: –minerals with micaceous morphology commonly formed by the...

Vermiculite Definition: Definition: Minerals with micaceous morphology commonly formed by the alteration of biotite and Iron-bearing phlogopite. Supergene alteration product formed by the combined effects of weathering and circulating groundwater. (Mg,Ca,K,Fe 2+ ) 3 (Si,AL,Fe 3+ ) 4 O 10 (OH) 2 O 4 H 2 O, Hydrated Magnesium Iron Aluminum Silicate Hydroxide http://mineral.galleries.com/minerals/silicate/vermicul/vermicul.htm

Vermiculite - Class Class: Silicates Class: Silicates (SiO 4 ) (SiO 4 ) Subclass: Phylosilicates (The Sheet Structures) Subclass: Phylosilicates (The Sheet Structures) Groups: The Clays and the Monmorillonite / Smectite Group Groups: The Clays and the Monmorillonite / Smectite Group (It is sometimes put in the Mica group but recent analysis has excluded it from that group) http://mineral.galleries.com/minerals/

Vermiculite- Physical Characteristics Color: Brown to golden brown, can also be white, colorless, or yellow Color: Brown to golden brown, can also be white, colorless, or yellow Luster: Pearly to greasy Luster: Pearly to greasy Transparency: Translucent crystals Transparency: Translucent crystals Cleavage: Perfect in one direction Cleavage: Perfect in one direction Fracture: Uneven to lamellar Fracture: Uneven to lamellar Hardness: About 1.5, which can sometimes leave marks on paper Hardness: About 1.5, which can sometimes leave marks on paper Specific Gravity: 2.3-2.5 Specific Gravity: 2.3-2.5 Streak:white Streak:white Crystal System: monoclinic, 2/m Crystal System: monoclinic, 2/m (Hindman, 2006) http://www.hoben.co.uk/vermiculite/specs.htm

Vermiculite- Physical Characteristics Crystal Habit: Pseudohexagonal tabular crystals (books), also compact or lamellar masses or microscopic crystals Crystal Habit: Pseudohexagonal tabular crystals (books), also compact or lamellar masses or microscopic crystals Other Characteristics: When heated, crystals expand to many times their original volume. Other Characteristics: When heated, crystals expand to many times their original volume. Sintering temperature: 1260 Degrees C Sintering temperature: 1260 Degrees C Melting Point: 1330 Degrees C Melting Point: 1330 Degrees C Specific Heat: 1.8 kJ/kg.K. Specific Heat: 1.8 kJ/kg.K. pH value: 8.0-9.5 pH value: 8.0-9.5 Thermal Conductivity: 0.062-0.0656W/mK Thermal Conductivity: 0.062-0.0656W/mK

Vermiculite- Associated Minerals Corundum Corundum Apatite Apatite Serpentine Serpentine Talc Talc Stellerite Stellerite Biotite Biotite Other clay minerals Other clay minerals http://mineral.galleries.com/minerals/

Vermiculite- Physical Characteristics There are water molecules within the internal structure of vermiculite, that when it is heated to high temperatures, the water transforms to steam, causing the particles to increase in volume. There are water molecules within the internal structure of vermiculite, that when it is heated to high temperatures, the water transforms to steam, causing the particles to increase in volume. The thermal exfoliation increases the volume usually 10 to 20 times The thermal exfoliation increases the volume usually 10 to 20 times (Hindman., 2006)

Vermiculite- Typical Chemical Analysis (Hindman., 2006)

Vermiculite- Uses It is used in three primary forms: It is used in three primary forms: Untreated Concentrate Thermally Exfoliated The ground products of chemical or thermal exfoliation Vermiculite: Unexpanded, Expanded and a Single Particle http://www.vermiculite.net/

Vermiculite- Uses (continued) CONSTRUCTION CONSTRUCTION Acoustic finishes Acoustic finishes Air setting binder Air setting binder Board Board Fire protection (internal/external) Fire protection (internal/external) Floor & roof screeds (lightweight Floor & roof screeds (lightweight Insulating concrete) Insulating concrete) Gypsum plaster Gypsum plaster Loft insulation Loft insulation Sound deadening compounds Sound deadening compounds http://www.vermiculite.org/uses.htm (Kogel et al, 2006)

Vermiculite- Uses (continued) HORTICULTURAL HORTICULTURAL Blocking mixes Blocking mixes Hydroponics Hydroponics Micro-propagation Micro-propagation Potting mixes Potting mixes Rooting cuttings Rooting cuttings Seed germination Seed germination Seedling wedge mix Seedling wedge mix Sowing composts Sowing composts Twin scaling bulbs Twin scaling bulbs http://www.vermiculite.org/uses.htm (Kogel et al, 2006)

Vermiculite- Uses (continued) AGRICULTURAL AGRICULTURAL Animal feed Animal feed Anti-caking material Anti-caking material Bulking agent Bulking agent Fertilizer Fertilizer Pesticide Pesticide Seed encapsulant Seed encapsulant Soil conditioner Soil conditioner http://www.vermiculite.org/uses.htm (Kogel et al, 2006)

Vermiculite- Uses (continued) INDUSTRIAL INDUSTRIAL Absorbent packing Absorbent packing Brake pads & brake shoes Brake pads & brake shoes Castables Castables Dispersions Dispersions Drilling muds Drilling muds Filtration Filtration Fireproof safes Fireproof safes Fixation of hazardous material Fixation of hazardous material Furnaces Furnaces Insulation blocks & shapes Insulation blocks & shapes Insulation - high & low temperature Insulation - high & low temperature Molten metal insulation Molten metal insulation Molded products Molded products Nuclear waste disposal Nuclear waste disposal Paints Paints Perfume absorbent Perfume absorbent Sealants Sealants http://www.vermiculite.org/uses.htm (Kogel et al, 2006)

Vermiculite is used as a packing material because it is lightweight, it can form around objects, it takes shock well, it can absorb leaks, and it is not a fire hazard. Vermiculite of medium grade will improve drainage when added to heavy soils. Fine grade mixed with peat is a great compost for growing seeds. Vermiculite also helps fertilizers release more nutrients which is more economical and efficient. Vermiculite is also used in the friction industry. Exfoliated Vermiculite is great for thermal insulation and can withstand temperatures over 1000 degrees Celsius. Vermiculite is easy and clean to handle, odorless, sound absorbent, non-abrasive, and will not decay. http://www.hoben.com/vermiculite/index.htm

Vermiculite- U.S. Occurrences (Hindman, 2006)

Vermiculite- World Occurrences (Hindman, 2006)

http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/commodity/vermiculite/vermimcs06.pdf Vermiculite- Production

Vermiculite- U.S. Production and Trade (Hindman, 2006)

Vermiculite- Processing

Vermiculite- Production Mining Ore Transport Ore Storage Ore Screening Product Grinding Concentrate Crushing Ore Blending Wet Processing Concentrate Drying Concentrate Classifying Concentrate Storage Exfoliating Product Classifying Product Storage http://www.epa.gov/ttn/chief/ap42/ch11/final/c11s28.pdf (Kogel et al., 2006) Most unexfoliated ore (640- 1,120 kg/m 3 ) is shipped in 100-ton hopper railcars in the U.S. and Canada from the mills to the exfoliation plants. Shipping in 10 to 20 ton trucks is becoming more frequent. (Hindman, 2006)

Vermiculite- Exfoliation Principle of the Pipe-Exfoliation 1: unit of dosage 2: heating pipe 3: deflection plates 4: radiation elements 5: cooling system http://www.vermiculite-furnaces.com/Exfoliator/exfoliator.html#AnlagenundOfenbau Vertical furnace: used in United States (Picured below) Rotary drum furnace: used outside North America (Hindman, 2006)

http://www.chinavermiculite.com/verm.htm Vermiculite- Crude/untreated

http://www.chinavermiculite.com/verm2.htm Vermiculite- Expanded/exfoliated

TABLE 2 ACTIVE VERMICULITE EXFOLIATION PLANTS IN THE UNITED STATES IN 2005 Company County State Isolatek International, Inc. Sussex New Jersey. J.P. Austin Associates, Inc. Beaver Pennsylvania. Palmetto Vermiculite Co., Inc.SpartanburgSouth Carolina. P.V.P. Industries, Inc. TrumbullOhio. Schundler Co., The MiddlesexNew Jersey. Southwest Vermiculite Co., Inc.BernalilloNew Mexico. Sun Gro Horticulture, Inc. JeffersonArkansas. Do. La Salle Illinois. Thermal Ceramics Inc. MacoupinDo. Thermo-O-Rock East, Inc. WashingtonPennsylvania. Thermo-O-Rock West, Inc. MaricopaArizona. Verlite Co. HillsboroughFlorida. Vermiculite Industrial Corp.AlleghenyPennsylvania. Whittemore Co., Inc. Essex Massachusetts. W.R. Grace & Co. MaricopaArizona. Do. BrowardFlorida. Do. GreenvilleSouth Carolina. http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/commodity/vermiculite/vermimyb05.pdf

TABLE 3 ESTIMATED EXFOLIATED VERMICULITE SOLD OR USED IN THE UNITED STATES, BY END USE 1 (Metric tons) 2004 2005 Aggregates224,30022,300 Insulation3W W Agricultural: Horticultural22,20024,600 Soil conditioning22,800W Fertilizer carrier W W Total WW Other49,830 12,500 Grand total5 90,000 85,000 W Withheld to avoid disclosing company proprietary data; included in "Grand total." 1Data rounded to no more than three significant digits; may not add to totals shown. 2Includes concrete, plaster, and premixes (acoustic insulation, fireproofing, and texturizing uses). 3Includes loose-fill, block, and other (high-temperature and packing insulation and sealants). 4Includes various industrial and other uses not specified. 5Rounded to two significant digits because of estimated data. http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/commodity/vermiculite/vermimyb05.pdf

Vermiculite- Geologic description Most mines today are deposits that were formed in the pre-Cambrian and Archean (1.5-3.0 billion years ago). Most mines today are deposits that were formed in the pre-Cambrian and Archean (1.5-3.0 billion years ago). Palabora region, South Africa Northwestern corners of China Eastern Appalachian range in U.S. (Virginia and South Carolina) Younger deposits are Triassic in age (225million years ago) Younger deposits are Triassic in age (225million years ago) Libby, Montana deposit (Kogel et al., 2006)

Vermiculite- Geologic description The formation of vermiculite is basically the supergene alteration of biotite at near surface conditions. (Hindman, 2006) The formation of vermiculite is basically the supergene alteration of biotite at near surface conditions. (Hindman, 2006) When biotite turns into vermiculite, there is a 10% to 40% volume increase of particle size. (Hindman, 2006) When biotite turns into vermiculite, there is a 10% to 40% volume increase of particle size. (Hindman, 2006) It will not form as a primary mineral, and it is not stable under hydrothermal conditions. (Roy and Romo, 1957) It will not form as a primary mineral, and it is not stable under hydrothermal conditions. (Roy and Romo, 1957)

Vermiculite- Exploration Near surface Near surface Large grain size for commercial criteria-look at structures that contain large biotite crystals Large grain size for commercial criteria-look at structures that contain large biotite crystals Ultramafic intrusives: Coarse-grained pyroxenites; metamorphic bodies with biotite schists and gneisses. Ultramafic intrusives: Coarse-grained pyroxenites; metamorphic bodies with biotite schists and gneisses. (Hindman, 2006)

Vermiculite- Exploration Bush (1976): Three Classes Type 1 deposits: in large ultramafic intrusions such as pyroxenite. These are often zoned. (Libby, Montana and Phalaborwa, Republic of South Africa) Type 2 deposits: formed in smaller ultramafic intrusions (dunite, peridotite, and unzoned pyroxenite). (North Carolina) Type 3 deposits: formed from metamorphic rocks (biotite schists and amphibole schists). (Enoree, South Carolina; Elk Gulch, Montana; most deposits in Colorado, Nevada, Texas, and Wyoming.) Borovikov (1962): Four Groups Group 1: deposits in ultrabasic and alkaline rock complexes. (Major deposits at Kovdor and Buldym in Russia.) Group 2: deposits in altered carbonate rock. Group 3: occurrences in reaction zones of pegmatites, talc, corundum, asbestos, and other deposits, and also in metasomatic veins in serpentines. Group 4: deposits and occurrences in micaceous gneisses and other metamorphic rocks. (Hindman, 2006)

Vermiculite- Health Risks? There are no health risks known for general handling and exposure to vermiculite. There are no health risks known for general handling and exposure to vermiculite. Vermiculite was found with the asbestiform amphibole minerals of the Rainy Creek vermiculite ore body near Libby, Montana. Health issues associated with the asbestos and former mine workers resulted in shutting the Libby mine down (1921-1990). Vermiculite was found with the asbestiform amphibole minerals of the Rainy Creek vermiculite ore body near Libby, Montana. Health issues associated with the asbestos and former mine workers resulted in shutting the Libby mine down (1921-1990). (Hindman, 2006)

http://www.fafard.com/

References: Bush. 1976. Vermiculite in the United States. Pages 146-155 in 11 th Industrial Minerals Forum. Special Publication 74. Montana Bureau of Mines. Bush. 1976. Vermiculite in the United States. Pages 146-155 in 11 th Industrial Minerals Forum. Special Publication 74. Montana Bureau of Mines. Borovikov, P.P. 1962. Genetic types, conditions of formation and economic evaluation of vermiculite deposits. Pages 139-176 in Perlite and Vermiculite (Geology, Exploration and Production Technology.) Edited by V.Kh. Daragan. Translated from Russian. New Delhi: Indian National scientific Documentation Centre. Borovikov, P.P. 1962. Genetic types, conditions of formation and economic evaluation of vermiculite deposits. Pages 139-176 in Perlite and Vermiculite (Geology, Exploration and Production Technology.) Edited by V.Kh. Daragan. Translated from Russian. New Delhi: Indian National scientific Documentation Centre. Conrad Fafard, Inc. http://www.fafard.com/ (accessed March 26, 2007) Conrad Fafard, Inc. http://www.fafard.com/ (accessed March 26, 2007)http://www.fafard.com/ Hoben International. http://www.hoben.com/vermiculite/index.htm (accessed March 2, 2007) Hoben International. http://www.hoben.com/vermiculite/index.htm (accessed March 2, 2007)http://www.hoben.com/vermiculite/index.htm Hindman, James R. 2006. Vermiculite: Industrial Minerals and Rocks: Commodities, Markets, and Uses. Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration, Inc. Hindman, James R. 2006. Vermiculite: Industrial Minerals and Rocks: Commodities, Markets, and Uses. Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration, Inc. Ks Chimney. http://www.kschimney.com/store/product.php?pid=333#pdetail (accessed February 28, 2007 Ks Chimney. http://www.kschimney.com/store/product.php?pid=333#pdetail (accessed February 28, 2007http://www.kschimney.com/store/product.php?pid=333#pdetail Kogel, Jessica E., Trividi, Nikhil C., Barker, James M., and Krukowski, Stanley T. 2006. Industrial Minerals and Rocks: Commodities, Markets, and Uses. Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration, Inc. Kogel, Jessica E., Trividi, Nikhil C., Barker, James M., and Krukowski, Stanley T. 2006. Industrial Minerals and Rocks: Commodities, Markets, and Uses. Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration, Inc. Potter, M. J., 2007. U. S. Geological Survey Minerals Yearbook-2005: U. S. Department of the Interior. Potter, M. J., 2007. U. S. Geological Survey Minerals Yearbook-2005: U. S. Department of the Interior. http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/commodity/vermiculite/vermimyb05.pdf (accessed February 13, 2007) http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/commodity/vermiculite/vermimyb05.pdf Roy, R., and L.A. Romo. 1957. Weathering studies. 1. New data on vermiculite. Journal of Geology 65:603-610. Roy, R., and L.A. Romo. 1957. Weathering studies. 1. New data on vermiculite. Journal of Geology 65:603-610. Vermiculite Home Page for Information about Vermiculite---A Mineral with Many Uses: Naturally Occuring, Safe, and Plentiful. http://www.vermiculite.net/ (accessed February 13, 2007) Vermiculite Home Page for Information about Vermiculite---A Mineral with Many Uses: Naturally Occuring, Safe, and Plentiful. http://www.vermiculite.net/ (accessed February 13, 2007) http://www.vermiculite.net/ The Vermiculite Association. http://www.vermiculite.org/ (accessed February 13, 2007) The Vermiculite Association. http://www.vermiculite.org/ (accessed February 13, 2007)http://www.vermiculite.org/ Vermiculite (Hydrated Magnesium Iron Aluminum Silicate Hydroxide). http://mineral.galleries.com/minerals/silicate/vermicul/vermicul.htm (accessed February 26, 2007) Vermiculite (Hydrated Magnesium Iron Aluminum Silicate Hydroxide). http://mineral.galleries.com/minerals/silicate/vermicul/vermicul.htm (accessed February 26, 2007) http://mineral.galleries.com/minerals/silicate/vermicul/vermicul.htm Yanxi Minerals Co. Ltd. http://www.chinavermiculite.com/ (accessed March 2, 2007) Yanxi Minerals Co. Ltd. http://www.chinavermiculite.com/ (accessed March 2, 2007)http://www.chinavermiculite.com/ 77 Hydro. http://77hydro-store.stores.yahoo.net/med038.html (accessed February 28, 2007) 77 Hydro. http://77hydro-store.stores.yahoo.net/med038.html (accessed February 28, 2007)http://77hydro-store.stores.yahoo.net/med038.html

vermiculite definition: definition: –minerals with micaceous morphology commonly formed by the...

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