Abstract
Limestone is the main constituent of the raw materials used in manufacturing cement. In this study, the limestone deposits from the Avroman Formation are evaluated by using chemically and mineralogical techniques for their suitability to be used as a raw material for the cement industry. Twenty-one samples of limestone are collected from different beds of the Avroman Formation for petrographic study which shows that the limestone samples consist mainly of crystalline calcite. Physical and mechanical tests are performed in addition to the mineralogical and geochemical analysis using x-ray diffraction (XRD), x-ray fluorescence (XRF). Geological review and obtained results show that there is a good potential for industrial-grade limestone. The major clay minerals in the clay samples are chlorite, illite, montmorillonite, were as kaolinite appears as minor clay minerals. The geochemical analysis indicates that the limestone of Avroman formation has a wide range of CaO (46.13-56.00), Al2O3 (0.01-0.86), SiO2 (0.00-1.51), Fe2O3 (0.00-1.25), MgO (0.24-0.71), K2O, Na2O, TiO2, and MnO are traces. The physical properties (water absorption and moisture content) and chemical-mineralogical composition of the formation reflect that the dry process is preferable for the production of Portland cement. Mechanical analyses, especially compressive strength show that the quarrying and crushing will be competitive economically during manufacturing. From the results of the analyses, we conclude that the limestone of the formation and clay material of the study area are of good quality and fulfill the international standards of Portland cement.
Highlights
Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed of calcium carbonate (CaCO3)
The industrialization of Portland cement depended on raw materials such as limestone, clay, and gypsum which were considered the key to the success of the cement industry
The second selected section is in Banishar valley where 10 samples are collected toward the direction of the valley from the Avroman limestone Formation as representative samples (Bn1 to Bn10) (Fig.2)
Summary
Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed of calcium carbonate (CaCO3). The two most important components are calcite (CaCO3) and dolomite (Ca Mg CO3), but they contain small amounts of iron-containing carbonates, It can be divided into three main groups: organic, chemical, and detrital or detrital. In Sulaimani city, Sinjar Formation (Tertiary rocks) is the main raw material for producing cement, but this study tries to find new suitable resources as alternative raw material for Sinjar Formation which is the Avroman Formation (Upper Triassic rocks) to be used for cement industry in the future. In this case, an assessment must be done for raw materials in the study area especially limestone and clay, because successful clinker production demands a clear mixture of limestone, clay, and corrective additives. The field description shows that the lithology of this formation is pure limestone, generally grey, massive, hard with joints and fractures
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