Abstract
AbstractThe present study determined the mineralogy and thermal properties of kaolin from Acoculco (Puebla), at the eastern Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt and compared it with the nearby deposits of Agua Blanca (Hidalgo) and Huayacocotla (Veracruz). The mineralogy of the kaolins was determined by X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Thermal behaviour was studied by differential thermal analysis, dilatometry and hot-stage microscopy. The Acoculco deposit is composed mainly of kaolinite and SiO2minerals. In the case of Agua Blanca and Huayacocotla, alunite is abundant in places and minor anatase is also present locally. The Acoculco kaolins are Fe-poor and relatively rich in some potentially toxic elements (Zr, Sb, Pb). They undergo a relatively small amount of shrinkage (∼3–4 vol.%), during firing at 20–1300°C and cooling down to 20°C, except when >10 wt.% alunite is present. These kaolins are a suitable raw material for the ceramics industry. Other applications (pharmaceuticals, cosmetics) would require an enrichment process to eliminate impurities such as Fe oxides.
Highlights
Does not meet all of the country’s needs and some of the kaolin needed has to be imported
The present study presents the first chemical, mineralogical and thermal characterization of the Acoculco kaolin deposits to evaluate possible applications and attempts to compare it with the kaolins of the Agua Blanca and Huayacocotla areas
Advanced argillic alteration at Acoculco is reflected in the kaolinite and sulfate-rich secondary mineral assemblages
Summary
Surface manifestations of geothermal activity, are scarce and consist of lowtemperature, bubbling, acid-sulfate springs that are concentrated in two areas separated from each other by ∼1750 m This zone is generally regarded as a candidate site for future hot-dry-rock development, hydrothermal circulation has been ruled out (Canet et al, 2015 and references therein). Advanced argillic alteration at Acoculco is reflected in the kaolinite and sulfate-rich secondary mineral assemblages This alteration may be the consequence of a steam-heated overprint in the geothermal system. Unlike Acoculco, the kaolin deposits at Agua Blanca and Huayacocotla are hosted in the sedimentary series of the ‘Sierra Madre Oriental’ (Fig. 1) They were formed by hydrothermal alteration related to volcanic activity of the TMBV (De Pablo-Galán, 1979). Analysis was performed with the Hot-Stage software, developed by the Departament de Llenguatges i Sistemes Informàtics, ETSEIB, UPC (Garcia-Valles et al, 2013)
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