Methods Of Mineralogical Analysis Research Articles

Technological mineralogy: development of a comprehensive assessment of titanium ores (exemplified by the Pizhemskoye deposit)

Technological mineralogy of titanium ores is the basis for assessing their complexity. It enables, from a unified standpoint, to trace the entire course of changes in mineral matter through operating procedures, including beneficiation, processing, and obtaining target industrial products. The study targets are Pizhemskoye ilmenite-leucoxene sandstones, which are distinguished by a complex polymineral composition. Along with the main ore components, there are other metals with different speciation (isomorphic admixture, independent mineral phases). The optimal set of mineralogical analysis methods for the predictive assessment of their further use is substantiated exemplified by titanium ores of the Pizhemskoye deposit, which are complex, noted for a variable content of iron oxides and contain rare earth metals. Examinations by X-ray phase analysis and scanning electron microscopy confirm that the main titanium phases of sandstones are pseudorutile and a polymineral aggregate, “leucoxene”. Considering the granulometric peculiarities of the magnetic and non-magnetic fractions of the gravity concentrate, the prospects of technologies for processing titanium raw materials are discussed. Along with the problems of obtaining high-quality raw materials, the transformations of mineral phases as a result of extreme impacts and their physicochemical properties as a consequence of isomorphic substitution of a part of Ti atoms with natural modifier agents (Fe and V) in the synthesis of titanium oxide nanostructures for industrial applications are considered (photocatalytic nanoreactor).

Application of ASTER images for identification and localization of iron minerals in red mud dumps of the Ural aluminum plant

Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) was used to identify and mapping of industrially and environmentally important iron oxides and hydroxides in red mud dumps. In paper we were focused on specified region of interests - one of the largest boxite processing manufactory in Russia Ural Aluminum Plan (UAP). Initially we use ASTER L1T images. The graph of processing includes band relationship, principal component analysis and spectral angle mapper procedures for identifying spatial distribution of targeted minerals. Several minerals were mapped within red mud dumps No 2 and No 3: Hematite, Goetite, Jarosite and Magnetite. At the next stage the Scanning Electronic Microscopy (SEM) of red mud mineral samples was carried out. The results show a good correlation between remote sensing techniques and standard mineralogical analysis (SEM) method. In both cases the principal iron oxides and hydroxides were observed. Combination of remote sensing and traditional mineralogical analysis methods allows to increase the reliability of assessing ore potential and efficiency of planning utilization technologies for wastes in technogenic deposits. In addition, processing of several ASTER images from different time gap (2004 and 2015) allows to trace in dynamics the transformation of mineral composition in red muds.

Study on properties of gossan ore from zinc sulfide deposit

Because of its complex composition, low content of valuable metals and high development cost, the gossan ore has not been paid much attention by scholars at home and abroad. In this paper, the properties of gossan ore from zinc sulfide deposit were studied by the methods of mineralogical analysis, BET analysis and SEM/EDS analysis. The results show that the studied ore is typical zinc-bearing gossan type ore. The main elements in the gossan ore are zinc and iron, as well as a certain amount of silicon. The iron mineral of ore is limonite, most of which are monomers, a few connected with clay, dolomite and so on, and are closely adhered with some siderite, which generally contains zinc. Zinc minerals are mainly smithsonite and hemimorphite, a small amount of sphalerite, zinc mica, most of the siderite and limonite symbiosis. The nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherm of the gossan ore is a typical type III isotherm, and the isotherm is concave and has no inflexion, which shows that the interaction of adsorbents is stronger than that of adsorbents and materials. The specific surface area of gossan ore is small, mainly composed of micro-pores, the smaller specific surface area and pore volume limit its adsorption capacity, which intimates that the untreated gossan ore is not a good adsorbent. The gossan ore particles are composed of many irregular crystal particles with uniform size and many large pore channels appear in the gossan ore particles. The particles are smaller and more dispersed, and that the interconnections between larger particles are mainly caused by the direct interaction of some smaller particles. This research will lay a theoretical basis for the follow-up development and utilization of the gossan ore.

ТЕХНОЛОГИЧЕСКАЯ МИНЕРАЛОГИЯ В РЕШЕНИИ ПРОБЛЕМ КОМПЛЕКСНОЙ ПЕРЕРАБОТКИ МИНЕРАЛЬНОГО СЫРЬЯ

The development of mineral resources of solid mineral resources goes mainly together with problems because of natural factors, which determines current position of modern technological mineralogy. We paid particular attention to problems of mineralogical study of refractory ores of natural and technogenic genesis, associated with technical, technological and economic factors. We showed that many provisions of “Strategy for the development of Russian industry for the processing, utilization and disposal of industrial and consumer wastes for the period up to 2030” are related to the field of technological mineralogy. Intensive development and improvement of physical methods of mineralogical analysis resulted in need for their metrological support. Creation of a strict metrological basis for quality control of mineralogical works ensures the reliability of results of performed researches. The formation of new methods and techniques, both research tools and technologies for studying the composition, structure and properties of solid minerals, contribute to understanding interrelationships of mineral phases and resulting spatial and temporal patterns of coexistence of minerals in rocks, ores and other natural and technogenic formations. We considered achievements, problems and prospects for the development of technological mineralogy, an algorithm for the application of its methods and approaches in the management of complex processing of mineral raw. The main emphasis is placed on the development of scientific and methodological prerequisites for solving problem of rational development of mineral raw, the maximum possible extraction and integrated use of all minerals (both main and accompanying), expansion and strengthening of the mineral resource base in the light of the global challenges of the economic and environmental doctrines of modern civilization. The studies of complex mineral systems increasingly use information technologies “big data”. For the best solution of complex tasks of geological and technological mapping and mineragenic research, methods of remote sensing using the Landsat program are becoming popular. We emphasized importance of interactive forms and methods of teaching mineralogical research for specialists from organizations of different departmental affiliation.

АКТУАЛЬНІ ЗАВДАННЯ ШЛІХОВОГО АНАЛІЗУ СУЧАСНИХ ДОННИХ ОСАДКІВ

Gold and other heavy minerals often form scaly, leafy, needle-like or split crystals, dendrites of complex shape, individuals and aggregates with a large number of internal cavities. Significant mobility of these particles in water and air streams causes their separation from the psammitic component of sediment and deposition together with clay minerals. During preparatory stages for mineralogical analysis, such crystals of heavy minerals fall into slime part. According to classical algorithm of schlich mineralogical analysis slime part is thrown away. So it leads to losses of rich minerals and an incorrect analysis. The main purpose of the article is to present the new algorithm for the preparation of the bottom sediments samples for the mineralogical analysis and to demonstrate practical benefits of it. Authors propose the meliorated methods of mineralogical analysis considering comprehensive study of test material. The real natural composition of ore minerals in the sediments consists of adding the data "heavy concentrate-1" and "heavy concentrate-2". This provides an increase in industrial value of minerals by 10-30%, compared with the methods of prospecting that operate today. Such detailed analysis showed that modern bottom sediments include both natural components and man-made materials (plastic, polyethylene, synthetic fibers and fabrics, fuel, various types of petroleum products, metallurgical and household waste). Mineralogical analysis can be used as an ecological method for assessing the environmental pollution and reviewing the types of pollutants. The estimation of mineral reserves according to new methodology opens opportunities for profitable field development of poor polymetallic deposits. The study of bottom sediments by such a method indicates the need to clean hydrogeoecosystems and stimulates the development of new recycling methods in the economy and the waste-free production, for example, cleaning beaches from heavy metals and waste, complex sludge processing after dredging works in riverbeds, berths and port waters.

Determination of amorphous matter in industrial minerals with X-ray diffraction using Rietveld refinement.

A great variety of fine grained industrial rocks, which are valued by the industry contain variable amounts of amorphous or poorly crystalline matter, which is not easily detectable by the conventional mineralogical analysis methods based on X-ray diffraction (XRD). The quantification of amorphous matter in industrial rocks is a major task because it provides a thorough characterization of the raw materials and assists to interpret their reactivity. Among the most reliable methods used for quantification of amorphous matter, are those which are based on Rietveld refinement. In this study we prepared 1:1 mixtures of synthetic or natural calcite and quartz with 5-80% glass flour and added corundum (α-Al2O3) internal standard and applied the Autoquan2.80 © software based on the BGMN computer code to quantify the amorphous matter content. The mixtures with synthetic minerals yielded results with minimum absolute error due to the similar particle size of the minerals, the internal standard and the glass. By contrast, the mixtures with natural minerals displayed greater relative error due to the particle size difference between the minerals on the one hand and the internal standard and the glass on the other, due to the microabsorption effect. Moreover, preferred orientation was important in the case of natural calcite, due to perfect cleavage plane. Mixtures containing up to 25% amorphous matter did not display the characteristic hump at 20-30 °2θ, suggesting that the lack of the hump is not a safe criterion for the recognition of amorphous matter.

The study of mineral composition and structure of uroliths in the residents of Tomsk district (Tomsk)

To successfully treat and prevent urolithiasis, the composition and structure of uroliths should be examined using modern analytical techniques. For a long time, studies of the biomineral formation in the human body have been conducted exclusively in the field of medicine. The main attention has been paid to the diagnosis and treatment of diseases leading to the occurrence of pathogenic formations. At the same time, it is quite obvious that it is important to have a clear idea about the causes of pathogenic formations, the mechanisms for their further formation, composition and structure. Currently, these issues are widely studied all over the world by mineralogists, biochemists, geo-ecologists using methods of mineralogical analysis. The aim of this work was to determine the content of the elements that make up uroliths. This value should be normalized by the clarks of the noosphere. Studies on the mineral composition and structure of uroliths in the Tomsk region allowed to calculate the content of elements. It turned out that each medical district has its own specific geochemical series, which depends, probably, on natural and technogenic factors. The study included urolith samples obtained from residents of 4 medical sub-districts of Tomsk district. 100 samples of different mineral composition were studied. Analytical techniques including crystal-morphological, spectral, X-ray structural, instrumental neutron-activation, electron microscopic analyses were used to investigate the morphology, mineral composition and structure of uroliths. The average content of elements in the uroliths, and the element concentrations normalized by the clark were established. After calculating the concentration, geochemical associative series of elements were formed. Depending on the morphology, drusiform, microspherolite, porous, coral formations, uroliths with a smoothed surface and stones with combined morphology were identified. Three groups of uroliths were defined according to their structural features: crystalline-granular, spherolithic and combined. Studies to determine the mineral composition and structure of the uroliths of the inhabitants of the Tomsk region made it possible to calculate the content of the elements that make up uroliths, normalized by clarks of the noosphere. Each medical sub-district has its own specific geochemical series, which depends on natural and technogenic factors. The increased value of the indicator of the content of elements in uroliths should serve as a warning factor for developing measures to reduce the urolithiasis incidence in the population.

Целесообразность комплексирования минералого-аналитических методов изучения металлургических шлаков

Целесообразность комплексирования минералого-аналитических методов изучения металлургических шлаков

A robust statistical method for mineralogical analysis in geometallurgical diagnostic leaching

CSIRO researchers have been involved in the development of predictive metallurgical indices as a tool in the hydro- and geometallurgy fields. Rapid, small-scale, cost effective tests and protocols have been developed for comparative ranking of attributes relevant to leach performance, e.g. leach index (relative indication of leach performance), recovery, impurity deportment, reagent consumption and mineralogy of samples for their relative ranking. Results from these tests can be used for plant design or process optimisation to maximise the commercial value of an ore body and to minimise the social and environmental impact of mining operations. The motivation for development of these tests includes the reduction in use of traditional mineralogical tools, be they for reasons of accessibility, cost, speed or scale-up for processing of large sample numbers. Mineralogical analysis remains essential for validating leach results in the development of test protocols and as a means of quality control. This paper presents an accurate, robust statistical method for QEMSCAN data analysis that has been developed for use in conjunction with the geometallurgical leach tests.

Association of minor and trace elements with mineralogical constituents of urinary stones: A hard nut to crack in existing studies of urolithiasis

The role of metals in urinary stone formation has already been studied in several publications. Moreover, urinary calculi can also be used for assessing exposure of humans to minor and trace elements in addition to other biological matrices, for example, blood, urine, or hair. However, using urinary calculi for biomonitoring of trace elements is limited by the association of elements with certain types of minerals. In this work, 614 samples of urinary calculi were subjected to mineralogical and elemental analysis. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and thermo-oxidation cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry were used for the determination of major, minor, and trace elements. Infrared spectroscopy was used for mineralogical analysis, and additionally, it was also employed in the calculation of mineralogical composition, based on quantification of major elements and stoichiometry. Results demonstrate the applicability of such an approach in investigating associations of minor and trace elements with mineralogical constituents of stones, especially in low concentrations, where traditional methods of mineralogical analysis are not capable of quantifying mineral content reliably. The main result of this study is the confirmation of association of several elements with struvite (K, Rb) and with calcium phosphate minerals, here calculated as hydroxylapatite (Na, Zn, Sr, Ba, Pb). Phosphates were proved as the most important metal-bearing minerals in urinary calculi. Moreover, a significantly different content was also observed for Fe, Zr, Mo, Cu, Cd, Se, Sn, and Hg in investigated groups of minerals. Examination of such associations is essential, and critical analysis of mineral constituents should precede any comparison of element content among various groups of samples.

Mineralogical characterisation of naturally floatable gangue in Merensky Reef ore flotation

During the recovery of the valuable platinum group minerals and base metal sulphides in the Merensky Reef ore by flotation, a certain amount of naturally floatable gangue (NFG) is recovered, which dilutes the concentrate. Although talc is the only silicate mineral well known for it naturally floatable properties, the proportion of NFG recovered in batch flotation tests of the Merensky ore, however, cannot be solely accounted for by the mass of pure talc present in the feed ore. Using methodology developed at the University of Cape Town to decouple the NFG from entrained gangue recovered in flotation, a series of concentrate samples have been analysed in this study using quantitative mineralogical analysis methods. Results show the major diluents of concentrate grade are orthopyroxene, talc, clinopyroxene and plagioclase in decreasing order of abundance. Orthopyroxene is however, by far the greatest diluent of concentrate grade even though the particles recovered are classified as liberated or high grade middlings. On closer examination, these orthopyroxene particles show a preferential surface association to talc and vice versa which is consistent with the low temperature alteration of anhydrous orthopyroxene to a hydrous phase, namely talc. These composite orthopyroxene particles with partial talc rims are therefore thought to be one of the main contributors to NFG in the Merensky Reef ore.

Mineralogical determination of reef and periplatform carbonates: Calibration and implications for paleoceanography and radiochronology

Detection and precise quantification of the different carbonate minerals is crucial in selecting coral reef samples prior to geochemical and radiochronological measurements, thus helping to interpret changes in the mineralogical composition of geological formations made of reef material and associated sediments such as periplatform oozes. While powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) is a widely used method for mineralogical analysis, precise and accurate quantification of mineral abundance requires a thorough calibration of the instrument and method by means of gravimetric standards. In this study, we optimize a calibration method for the quantitative determination of four widespread Ca and Mg carbonates: calcite, aragonite, magnesian calcite (Mg-calcite) and dolomite. To detect and quantify very low calcite contents, which provide a crucial screening criterion for coral radiochronology, we perform a detailed survey of analytical precision and limits using two different XRD facilities. Detection and quantification limits (≈ 0.18% and ≈ 0.9% calcite in a calcite–aragonite mixture, respectively) are shown to be similar between the two instruments. The reproducibility of measurements clearly demonstrates that it is preferable to use peak area rather than peak height alone to obtain a precise quantification of the abundances of various carbonate minerals.

06/01714 Characterization and quantification of uncertainty in solid oxide fuel cell hybrid power plants: Subramanyan, K. and Diwekar, U. M. Journal of Power Sources, 2005, 142, (1–2), 103–116

The mineralogy of clay-rich mineral matter isolated from a range of Australian bituminous coals has been evaluated in quantitative terms from X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) patterns using a Rietveld-based data processing technique. The chemical composition of coal ash derived from this mineral matter has been calculated and compared to the directly determined composition of the ash prepared from the same coal samples. Although there are some minor differences due in part to uncertainty regarding the actual composition of several minerals, the compositions indicated by the two methods show a relatively high correlation, suggesting that the Rietveld technique provides mineralogical analyses that are consistent with independently determined chemical data. Comparison of the normalised clay mineral percentages from the Rietveld analysis to quantitative interpretations based on a peak intensities in glycolated and heat-treated oriented aggregates of the respective clay fractions also shows a high correlation, confirming mutual consistency of the two different mineralogical analysis methods. Such quantitative mineralogical data are significant to a range of coal exploration, mining and utilization activities, including seam correlation, material handling and ash and slag formation in combustion processes.

Investigative methods for the characterisation of historic mortars—Part 1: Mineralogical characterisation

In addition to the mineralogical characterisation of components of binder and aggregate in historic mortars, it is sometimes necessary to perform a chemical analysis on the materials in historic mortars. Acid dissolution/separation of binder from aggregate is the simplest method, and allows the determination of the chemical composition of the acid-soluble binder and, after separation, information on the mortar’s aggregate. It is limited, when aggregate is acid-soluble. A range of significant analysis can be made including for soluble silica that relates to hydrated calcium silicates in the binder, and thus the hydraulicity of the binder. Other wet chemical analyses can be performed on the acid filtrate for soluble oxides of Fe, Al, Ca, Mg, S, Na and K. There may also be a requirement for the identification of organic substances, pigments and salts within a historic mortar. Chemical analysis forms a 2nd part of a possible scheme of characterisation of historic mortars that is presented as a flowchart. Chemical analysis also satisfies requirements for information input to conservation, repair and restoration works on historic buildings for the choice of compatible replacement materials. Corroboration of evidence of identification and quantification for chemical composition is best supported by a combination of methods, including mineralogical analysis methods. All methods of characterisation require qualified and experienced people to carry out the analyses.

Phosphate Elimination and Recovery From by Active Filtration Using Crushed Gas Concrete

Laboratory long-term upstream fixed-bed experiments were carried out to investigate the efficiency of phosphorus elimination with the effluent of a biological sewage treatment plant using crushed gas concrete. The development of the pHvalue in the column outflow as well as the reaction kinetics was investigated. Furthermore, the phosphorus yield was balanced for phosphorus recovery and the calcium phosphate compounds generated were specified by mineralogical analysis methods. These activities were followed by a study with respect to the suitability of the material as raw material for the phosphate industry.

Mineralogy of fine-grained sediment by energy-dispersive spectrometry (EDS) image analysis – a methodology

The application of energy-dispersive X-ray (EDS) spectrometry image analyses to geological, geochemical, and environmental studies is facilitated by recent increases in computer speed, storage capacity, and connectivity. EDS microbeam analyses provide digital element maps of mineral grains, with brightness directly proportional to element abundance. Using computer-based image analysis protocols, combinations of EDS element images can characterize grain mineralogy and quantify mineral abundance. This approach is well suited to the analyses of fine sand and silt-sized grains (0.425–0.010 mm), a size fraction not amenable to quantification by other mineralogical analysis methods. For this size range, 50 to more than 300 grains can be readily mapped, permitting mineral identification for concentrations >1% to be reliably distinguished.

Quantitative X-ray powder diffraction analysis of clay minerals in Australian coals using Rietveld methods

The mineralogy of clay-rich mineral matter isolated from a range of Australian bituminous coals has been evaluated in quantitative terms from X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) patterns using a Rietveld-based data processing technique. The chemical composition of coal ash derived from this mineral matter has been calculated and compared to the directly determined composition of the ash prepared from the same coal samples. Although there are some minor differences due in part to uncertainty regarding the actual composition of several minerals, the compositions indicated by the two methods show a relatively high correlation, suggesting that the Rietveld technique provides mineralogical analyses that are consistent with independently determined chemical data. Comparison of the normalised clay mineral percentages from the Rietveld analysis to quantitative interpretations based on a peak intensities in glycolated and heat-treated oriented aggregates of the respective clay fractions also shows a high correlation, confirming mutual consistency of the two different mineralogical analysis methods. Such quantitative mineralogical data are significant to a range of coal exploration, mining and utilization activities, including seam correlation, material handling and ash and slag formation in combustion processes.

Quantitative phase evaluation of converter slags

The slags formed in the LD vessel during the refining process turn out with different chemical compositions, mineralogical structures and physical properties, in dependence on the charging and processing conditions. Electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) combined with a data processing method for mineralogical analysis was used to characterize the mineralogical phases in LD slags and moreover to determine their volume fractions. By this method some correlations between the phase contents and the chemical composition of LD slags were established. The diagrams gained from this work have proven to be a valuable aid for understanding the interrelationships between the chemical composition, the mineralogical structure and some physical properties of LD slags.

Automation of Mineralogical Measuring Procedures

The geologist, mineralogist, mineral engineer and metallurgist often need to obtain large amounts of accurate information regarding the mineralogical characteristics of ores and mineral products. This information must be obtained as quickly and as cheaply as possible.Unfortunately, the traditional methods of mineralogical analysis are very time-consuming and labour intensive and the information that they provide can only rarely be produced quickly enough for process design or process control purposes.This paper briefly describes the development of a new system of mineralogical analysis that automatically measures many of the features of interest in rocks and in particulate mineral products. The system is based on a specially adapted, computer-controlled electron probe x-ray microanalyser which is used as a linear image analysing device.An example of the results obtained is provided.