Assessment of Limestone of Ibrahim Formation in Zurbatiya Area, Eastern Iraq for Ordinary Portland Cement Industry

Narjis Al-Ali,Sattar Al-Khafaji

doi:10.33899/earth.2020.170358

Abstract

Limestone deposits of Ibrahim Formation in Zurbatiya area, eastern Iraq are assessed as raw materials for the industry of Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC). The deposits are widely exposed in the area close to Iraq-Iran borders. Six samples were collected from selected section of Ibrahim Formation, which consists of a succession of well-bedded white to gray limestone interbedded with gray marl and marly limestone. X-ray diffraction results show that calcite is the dominant mineral followed by quartz and traces of dolomite which appear in limited samples. X-ray fluorescence results revealed a noticeable increase of SiO2, which might be due to the effect of limestone by silicification process, so the rocks are considered to be a siliceous limestone. The other oxides (CaO, Al2O3, Fe2O3, MgO, Na2O, K2O, TiO2, SO3, and P2O5) are within the acceptable limits required for cement industry. Cement chemical parameters indicated that there is a decrease in the lime saturation factor (LSF) and an increase in silica ratio (SR) in comparison with the chemical parameters listed by standard specifications due to the increase of silica content. This increase can be adjusted by adding clays, or any other source of low silica content in addition to use iron and alumina as correcting additive materials for the cement mixture.

Highlights

The cement industry is one of the most pillars of economic development and one of the most important manufacturing industries (John, 2020) because cement is the main binding material for the construction industries (Ali, 2014)
The present study aims to conduct mineralogical and chemical studies of Ibrahim limestone deposits in Zurbatyia area using X-ray diffraction method (XRD) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) techniques to assess their suitability as raw materials for industry of Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC)
There is a good exposed succession of Oligocene-Miocene formations in the study area represented by the following: 1-Ibrahim Formation: The present study focuses on its limestone beds, where it consists of a good succession of white to gray well-bedded limestone interbedded with gray marl and marly limestone (Figure 2)

Summary

Introduction

The cement industry is one of the most pillars of economic development and one of the most important manufacturing industries (John, 2020) because cement is the main binding material for the construction industries (Ali, 2014). ‫تم تقييم رواسب الحجر الجيري لتكوين إب ارهيم في منطقة زرباطية شرقي الع ارق لملاءمتها كمواد خام لصناعة‬ ‫ تنكشف رواسب الحجر الجيري على نطاق واسع في المنطقة الواقعة عند‬.)OPC( ‫الأسمنت البورتلاندي الاعتيادي‬

Results

Conclusion