Analysis of Properties of Kaolin Deposits in Nigeria (Case Of Studies of Kpankorogi and Ijero-Ekiti)

ABSTRACT

This study considered the mineralogical, elemental composition in form oxides and engineering properties such as particle size, specific gravity, bulk density; water content and atterberg limits of two kaolin deposits in Kpankorogi in Edu Local Government of Kwara State and in Ijero-Ekiti in Ijero-Ekiti Local Government Area, Ekiti State.This is  with a view to assessing their potentials for Various industrial applications. The analyses includes X-Ray Diffraction (XRD and X-Ray Fluorescence(XRF). It was observed that the kaolin sample from Kpankorogi is dominated by Quartz and the one from Ijero- ekiti by Orthoclase. The result of the chemical analysis indicates the presences of SiO2, Al2O3, Fe2O­3, TiO2, MnO, CaO, MgO, K2O, Na2O, CuO, ZmO, Cr2O5, V2O5 and Sc2O3. The X RD In particular, shows that Kpankorogi kaolin contains Quartz and Kaolinite while Ijero- Ekiti contains in addition to kaolinite,s orthoclase and Muscovite. Considering the possible applications of the two kaolin deposits, it was observed they do not meet the required standards completely in all instances.    

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page                                                                                                                   i

Certification                                                                                                              ii

Dedication                                                                                                               iii

Acknowledgement                                                                                                  iv

Abstract                                                                                                                     v

Table of Content                                                                                                       vi-vii

List of Tables                                                                                                             viii

List of Figures                                                                                                             xi                                                   

 CHAPTER ONE                                                                                           

 1.0    Introduction                                                                                                            1

 1.1   Aim and Objectives of the Study                                                                        2

 1.2   Scope and Limitation of the Study                                                                      3

 1.3   Research Justification                                                                                             3

1.4    Problems Statement                                                                                               3

 CHAPTER TWO     

  2.0 Literature Review                                                                                                  4

  2.1 Historical Background of the Study                                                                     4

  2.2 Properties of Kaolin                                                                                                 5

  2.3 Uses of Kaolin                                                                                                            6

 CHAPTER THREE

 3.0 Materials and Methods                                                                                            8

 3.1 Description of the Study Areas                                                                              8

 3.2 Method of Samples Collection                                                                               8

 3.3 Laboratory Analyses                                                                                                  12      

 3.3.1 Moisture Content                                                                                                  12

 3.3.2 Bulk Density Determination                                                                                13

 3.3.3 Specific Gravity Determination                                                                          13

 3.3.4 Grain Size Analyses                                                                                                15

 3.3.5 Atterberg Limit                                                                                                        17

 3.3.6.1 Liquid Limit                                                                                                           17

 3.3.6.2 Plastic Limit                                                                                                          18

 3.3.6.3 Shrinkage Limit                                                                                                    19

 3.3.7 X.R.D. Analysis                                                                                                         20

 3.3.8 X.R.F. Analysis                                                                                                          22

 CHAPTER FOUR

4.0  Results And Discussion                                                                                     23

4.1  Properties of Kpankorogi and Ijere-Ekiti Kaolin Deposits                           23

 4.2   Water Content Distribution                                                                                   23

 4.2   Bulk Density                                                                                                               24

 4.3   Specific Gravity                                                                                                         24

 4.4   Atterberg Limits                                                                                                       24

 4.5     Sieves Analyses                                                                                                       25

 4.1.6   X-ray Diffraction                                                                                                    26

 4.6     X-ray Fluorescence                                                                                                 28

CHAPTER FIVE

 5.0 Conclusion and Recommendation                                                                         31

 5.1 Conclusion                                                                                                                    31

 5.2 Recommendation                                                                                                       31

       References                                                                                                 33