Isiaka Olajide Odewale et al.

, IJSID, 2013, 3 (1), 93-100

ISSN:2249-5347

IJSID

International Journal of Science Innovations and Discoveries

Research Article
1Ceramic

An International peer Review Journal for Science

Available online through www.ijsidonline.info

*Isiaka Olajide Odewale1, Lawrence Olusegu Ajala2 and Daniel T. Tse1 and Glass Technology Department, Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic, Unwana

CHARACTERIZATON OF UNWANA BEACH SILICA SAND AND ITS INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS Nigeria;
2Science

Laboratory Technology Department, Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic, Unwana, Nigeria.

Received: 06-01-2013 Accepted: 15-02-2013

*Corresponding Author

ABSTRACT with a view to find its industrial application. The physical properties of the sand shows that the sand has high percentage of medium to fine particle size i.e 15.55% is 30 BS mesh Characterization of the Unwana beach silica sand deposit has been carried out

63.21% is 36BS mesh and 5.55% is 60BS mesh. The sand has 0.5% moisture content and

2% clay content with traces of grey to light brown colouration. The chemical analysis on ignition (L.O.l). It was indicated that the sand can be use for manufacturing of flint glass, sheet glass, green glass, container glass (colourless and amber) and plate glass can be used for refractory brick production. Specification.

indicates that the sand is composed of 98.14% - SiO2, 0.4% - Al2O3, 0.02% - Fe2O3, 0.37% CaO, 0.06% - MgO, 0.20% - Na2O, 0.08% - K2O, 0.02% - ZnO, 0.01% - MnO and 0.51% - Loss Address: Name: Isiaka Olajide Odewale Place: PMB 1007, Afikpo, Nigeria E-mail: easyceramicglass@gmail.com (general and windows) according to standard specification of BS2975s, US specifications Keywords: Silica sand, Chemical Composition, Chemical Analysis, Glass, Standard

and Ceramic Industry Magazine. It was also indicated that the Unwana beach silica sand

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Isiaka Olajide Odewale et al., IJSID, 2013, 3 (1), 93-100 crystals, huge forming hills, quartz sand or silica sand, sand stone, Tripoli, quartzite, diatomite, opal, flint, in some chalcedonic forms such as agate and onyx and so forth. It can in addition be found with various outer forms mainly depending on the colour like purple quartz (amethyst), yellow quartz or false topaz (citrine), smoky quartz, milky quartz and rose quartz [1]. erosion of the earths crust over vast spans of time disintegration of rock [3].
[2].

Silica sand is known to be one of the most abundant minerals that can be found in diverse ways such as in quartz INTRODUCTION

on everyday so silica sand is an extremely common and abundant material in nature. Sand is a mineral that is the result of the particles. Silica sand is a general term used to describe washed, graded, dried and cooled clay free sands which are found in General scales are used to determine sand size, such as these set up by the: i. ii. iii. U.S Department of Agriculture (0.05mm to 2mm) The U.S Army Corps of Engineers (0.08mm to 4mm) [5] Geologists apply the team sand to natural particles of a certain size as well as to geologic deposits composed of such Sand and other soils have their origin in the mechanical and chemical

Sand is one of the products of geological weathering of the surface of the earth; this weathering is continuously going

many parts of the world. They generally contain 90 to 100% silica but vary generally in chemical composition and grain structure. [4]. Sands sized particles are grounded to angular fragments or detrial grain that are smaller than granules and larger The American Society of Testing and Materials (0.08mm to 2mm)

than coarse silt granules; the size is determined by sieving grain through a set of standard screens of different mesh sizes.

derived from weathering of granite or other siliceous igneous rocks (carbonate sands are composed of shell fragment, coral or chemical precipitates such as casites). Wind and water transport quartz sand to great distances. Generally the further the particles are transported the rounder and better sorted they become [4]. purposes while some have the appropriate grain size distribution and high degree of purity which made them suitable for use found useful
[7].

As a deposit, sand is defined as a loose aggregate of sand size mineral particle. Most sand consists of quartz grains

in glass production. However, known silica sand (glass sand) deposits are common in most river sides of our country with a

reasonable quantity. The deposit can be found in at least seventeen (17) states of Nigerian and some others that are yet to be production, ceramic wares production and majorly for construction purposes. Therefore it is well known that this abundant which has not been found useful for any other things than construction by the people in the area and record has not shown found. mineral is not been fully utilized for technological development of Nigeria. Also it is not only been fully utilized, but some of these silica sand deposits has no proper documentation in relation to their reserves in tones and mostly their chemical that there is a reasonable reserve of silica sand there let alone of its chemical composition and physical characteristics been and River States. However, the choice of the site is based on the relative abundance of silica sand deposit in this location. International Journal of Science Innovations and Discoveries, Volume 3, Issue 1, January-February 2013 Unwana is a town in Afikpo North Local Government Area. It is situated at about 80km South East of Abakaliki, the Out of all these deposits, some are found useful for glass production, foundry technology, refractory brick

Many silica sand deposits has been found nationwide in Nigeria; some of the deposits are quarried for construction

compositions and physical properties are not readily available. Example of this kind of deposit is Unwana beach silica sand

Ebonyi State capital, Nigeria. The deposit is located along the Cross River boundary. i.e the beach is located between Ebonyi

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the near future.

The study is the preliminary investigation of reprsentative samples as an introductory to do more detailed studies in The sands used in glass-making consist essentially of quartz grains within a size range which ensures that coarse and The first specification for glass-making sands appeared in the journal of the society of Glass Technology in 1935. This

Isiaka Olajide Odewale et al., IJSID, 2013, 3 (1), 93-100

Standard Specification of Silica Sand for Glass Production

fine particles are present in minimal amounts. Coarse grains reduce the melting rate, or appear as stones in the finished glass. Fine grains lead to refining problems or carry through the furnace into the regenerator system causing damage to the brick work [7].

was revised in 1943 and a British Standard Specification BS 2975 was published in 1958. The standard is in process of revision but in the mean time the Glass Manufacturers Federation has produced a document setting down preferred specification for sands used in the various categories of glass manufacture [7]. particle size requirement is that 80% of the sand grains should fall between 420 microns (36BS mesh) and 150microns microns (25BS mesh). In the smaller particle size range not more than 5% should be finer than 125 microns (120BS mesh) [7]. Three levels of purity are specified, A,B, and C. Grade A sand, suitable for manufacture of high grade optical ware,

BS 2975 specifies the particle size, the minimum silica content, and maximum contents for Iron, titanium and chromium. The

(100BS mesh). There should be nothing coarser that 1100microns (16BS mesh), and not more than 2% coarser than 600 should contain no more than 0.008%F02O3, 0.030% Ti02 and 2ppm Cr2O3. Grade B sand, suitable for high grade domestic and decorative glassware, should contain no more than 0.013% fe 203 and 2ppm Cr2O3. Grades A and B should contain a minimum maximum if the sand contains less than 2ppm Cr2O3. A minimum SiO2 content of 98.5% is specified [7]. containers. This specification refers only to sand used in the manufacture of colourless glass and many thousands of tons of sand of 99-5% SiO2. Grade C sand, suitable for the manufacture of colour less containers e.t.c, should have a maximum Fe2 O3 content of 0.030% and not more than 6 ppm Cr2O3. There is a proviso that the Fe2O3 specification can be relaxed to 0.035% (with contents of colouring elements well outside the limits specified) are used in the manufacture of flat glass and coloured General specifications and standards for Glass sand is graded according to its silica and alumina contents. The

percentage content of lime, magnesia may also taken into consideration. Specifications vary within certain limits from one Al2O2 are considered of high grade and may be suitable for optical purposes [8]. analysis of glassmaking sand (BS 2975)2 and cover the following applications: Optical and ophthalmic glass Grade A Borosilicate glass Grade C Clear flat glass Grade E Tableware and lead crystal glass Grade B Coloured container glass Grade F Colourless (or clear) container glass Grade D Glass for insulating fibres Grade G glass. The requirements for these grades of silica sand are set out in BS 2975:1988, British standard methods for sampling and

glass manufactures to another one as shown in table 1 and 2. For example sands containing more than 99.5% SiO 2 and 0.1% Also, the glass industry has established different standard specifications for the silica sand intended for seven types of

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specify parameters such as: (a) minimum silica levels; (c) maximum alkali levels;

(b) maximum levels of aluminium, iron, chromium, copper, cobalt, nickel and vanadium; (d) maximum losses on heating; and (e) particle size distributions.

BS 2975(2) gives detailed chemical and physical specifications for each of these grades of silica/glass sand. These

Isiaka Olajide Odewale et al., IJSID, 2013, 3 (1), 93-100

The amounts by which many of these parameters are permitted to vary between deliveries are also specified [8]. S/N 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Quality Optical Glass Quality Flint Containers and table ware Quality Flint glass Quality Sheet and plate glass Quality Sheet and plate glass Quality green container & Windows glass Quality Green Glass Quality Amber Glass containers Quality Amber Glass Product (Glass) (Norton, 1957) SiO % (min) 99.8 98.5 95.0 98.5 95.0 98.0 95.0 98.0 95.0 Al2O3% (max) 0.1 0.5 4.0 0.5 4.0 0.5 4.0 0.5 4.0 Fe2O3% (max) 0.02 0.035 0.035 0.06 0.06 0.3 0.3 1.0 1.0

Table 1. Specifications for Chemical Compositions for Glass S and American Ceramic Society and the National Bureau Standard CaO+MgO% (max) 0.1 0.2 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5

Product Optical Glass Containers (Colourless) Containers (Amber) Plate Glass (General) Plate Glass (window) Ceramic Industry Magazine (1966) (i)Chemical analysis S.No 1 2 3 4 5 6 Loss on ignition, Max Silica (as SiO2), Min. Iron Oxide (as Fe2O3), Max. Aluminium Oxide (as Al2O3), Max. Titanium Dioxide ( as TiO2), Max. Manganese Oxide (as MnO)

Table 2. Iron Oxide Standards set by Glass Manufacturer

Table 3. Indian Standard specifications for glass making sands, 2nd Revision [IS 488: 1980] Special Grade 0.5 99.0 0.02 * 0.10 To pass the test Grade I 0.5 98.0 0.06 * 0.10 To pass the test To pass the test To pass the test Grade II

Maximum Fe2O3(%) 0.015 0.016 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.08 0.15 0.08

0.5 98.5 0.04 * 0.10 To pass the test 7 Copper Oxide (as CuO) To pass the To pass the Test Test 8 Chromium Trioxide (as Cr2O3) To pass the To pass the Test Test * These requirements shall be as agreed to between the purchaser and the supplier.

Characteristic(% by mass)

0.5 97.0 0.10 * * To pass the Test To pass the Test To pass the Test

Grade III

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Isiaka Olajide Odewale et al., IJSID, 2013, 3 (1), 93-100 Retained on 1 mm IS sieve (ii) Size grading Wt (%) -01.0 -50.0 -05.0 -50.0 Retained on 600 micron IS sieve, % by mass, Max. Passing through 600 micron IS sieve, Passing through 300 micron IS sieve, Nil

but retained on 300 micron IS sieve, % by mass, Max. but retained on 125 micron IS sieve, % by mass, Min.

Passing through 125 micron IS sieve, % by mass, Max.

Fe2O3 and 0.1% TiO2 for a size fraction in between 600 and 125m. Others Grade are low in purity [10]. MATERIALS AND METHODS Collection of Raw Materials Afikpo North L.G.A of Ebonyi State.

The best grade known as Special grade should contain minimum 99% silica with maximum permissible level of 0.02% The silica sand used for this research was obtained from different locations in Unwana Beach silica sand deposit, The beach sand sample was properly dry and mixed. A representative of the dry sample of 2kg was weighed into top

Grain-size Distribution (Sieve Analysis)

sieve of the arranged set of sieves. The sieves were arranged in descending order of mesh number with collector at the bottom sieve shaker and the shaker was switched on to vibrate for 15 minutes. Each sieve (one after the other) was carefully removed determined by using chemical balance and presented in tabular form. Determination of Moisture Content

to collect the finest particles (i.e pan). The set of sieves with the sample in it cover with lid (pan) was properly fixed on the and the quantity of sand grains retained in each was measured by pouring it on a clean white paper (with pre-determined 2 kg of the sand was pulverized and placed inside a drying cabinet for 2 hours at temperature of 110 0C. The sand 2kg of sand sample was weighed into head pan and water was added; the mixture was rubbed and stirred carefully weight). Brush was used to remove all sand particles retained in each sieve by brushing it on to the paper. The weight were sample was removed from the cabinet and weighed. Their process was repeated until there was no change in the weight of the dry sand sample again. The different in weight was determined and presented in percentage. Determination of Clay Content with hand and the brown water was decanted from the mixture. This process was repeated continuously until clean water was content of the silica sand.

obtained on the sand sample. The water was decanted and the sample (i.e wet sand) was loaded into drying cabinet for 2hours at temperature of 1100C. It was removed and reweighed to determine the loss in weight which will reflect the percentage clay Physical Appearance of the Beach Sand (Colour) The colour of the Unwana beach silica sand was observed.

Determination of Chemical Composition of Unwana Beach Silica Sand Buck Model 210 VGP Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS).

The oxides include: SiO2, CaO, MgO, Na2O, K2O, Fe2O3, ZnO, MnO, Al2O3, and loss on ignition. The oxides were determined using International Journal of Science Innovations and Discoveries, Volume 3, Issue 1, January-February 2013

A chemical analysis of Unwana beach silica sand was carried out to determine the % oxide composition of the sample.

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Isiaka Olajide Odewale et al., IJSID, 2013, 3 (1), 93-100 Table 4. Result of Chemical Analysis of the Unwana Beach Silica Sand RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Parameters Na2O MnO SiO2 ZnO K2O MgO CaO % Oxides Composition 0.37 0.06 0.20 0.08 98.14 0.51 0.19 0.4 0.02 0.02 0.01

Fe2O3 Al2O3

Other oxides/impurities Mesh No 14 Pan 30 36 60 7 Mesh Aperture size (mm) 1.180 Pan (Collector) 0.500 0.425 0.250 2.360

Loss on iginition (L.O.I)

Very Coarse particle Coarse particles Fine particle Medium particle A Medium particle B Very fine particle

Table 5. Result of Sieve Analysis Sieve Samples

Weight of the Particle (g) 226.3 311.0 111.1 53.1 34.0

% Composition 11.31 15.55 63.21 5.55 2.66 1.7

1264.1

percentage of medium to fine particle size i.e. 15.55% of the sand grain is 30BS mesh, 63.21% of the grain is 36BS mesh and 5.55% of the sand grain is 60BS mesh. The sand has percentage moisture content of 0.5% and percentage clay content of 2% ZnO, 0.01% - MnO and 0.51% - L.O.I. with traces of grey to light brown colouration. The chemical composition of Unwana beach silica sand deposit (Table 4) shows

The result of the grain size distribution (Table 5) shows that the Unwana beach silica sand deposit has high DISCUSSION

Appearance (Colour)

% Moisture Content Property % Clay content

Table 6. Result of Physical Analysis of Unwana Beach Silica sand

Unwana Beach Silica Sand 2.0

Grey to light brown colouration

0.5

that the sand has 98.14% - SiO2, 0.4% - Al2O3, 0.02% - Fe2O3, 0.37% - CaO, 0.06% - MgO, 0.20% - Na2O, 0.08% - K2O, 0.02% International Journal of Science Innovations and Discoveries, Volume 3, Issue 1, January-February 2013

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specification of BS2975:1958 & 1988 specifies the particle size requirement for glass production i.e 80% of the sand grain specification of American Ceramic Society and the National Bureau of Standard (Norton, 1955) with ceramic industry industry magazine (1966) (Table 1and 2). refractory brick production.

should fall between 30BS mesh and 100BS mesh. Also, the result of chemical analysis shows that the silica sand fall within the magazine (1966) for glass production. The silica sand also meets up with Indian standard specification for glass making sand silica sand can be use for the production of flint glass, sheet and plate glass (general and windows) according to ceramic Also, Unwana beach silica sand inaddition with other raw materials (refractory clay and plastic clay) can be used for The result of the physical and chemical analysis of the Unwana beach silica sand deposit indicated that, the silica sand CONCLUSION 2nd revision IS488;1980 for the production of grade I, II and III(table 3) with 98.14%-SiO2 and L.O.I of 0.51%. Unwana beach

The result of grain size analysis of the Unwana beach silica sand indicated that it meets up with the standard

Isiaka Olajide Odewale et al., IJSID, 2013, 3 (1), 93-100

deposit is very well sorted, more than 80% of grains lie between coarse to fine sand size range. The sand has percentage

moisture content and clay content of 0.5% and 2% respectively with traces of grey to light brown colouration. Its chemical 0.08% - K2O, 0.02% - ZnO, 0.01% - MnO and 0.51% - L.O.I. According to standard specification of BS2975;1958 & 1988, U.S. specification (Norton, 1957) and ceramic industry magazine (1966); the sand can be used for the production of flint glass, Also, Unwana beach silica sand can be used for refractory brick production in correct proportion with other raw materials. RECOMMENDATIONS sheet and plate glass, green glass, amber glass, container glass (colourless and amber) and plate glass (general and windows).

composition shows that the sand has 98.14% - SiO2, 0.4% - Al2O3, 0.02% - Fe2O3, 0.37% - CaO, 0.06% - MgO, 0.20% - Na2O,

study will encourage industrialists in Nigeria to take advantage of the cheap and abundant local raw material (silica sand) for big time glass manufacture and refractory bricks production. Moreover, it is well known that glass industries in Nigeria are in the creation of wealth and drastically reduce the unemployment problem of the nation. The truth is that there is no industry producing refractory bricks, hence most of industry import it. The government of this country should encourage the only very expensive but its continuing importation will contribute to further drain on our external reserve. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. http://www.egoldprospecting.com. Retrieved March 7, 2009. http://seco.glendale.edu/ceramics/clay.html. REFERENCES still producing below the domestic needs. Many glass components are still imported. Increase in productive capacity will result industrialized nation in the world today which does not have a strong ceramic/glass industrial base. Also, refractory bricks are important in all industry that is using kiln, oven, furnace and other heating equipment. In Nigeria presently, there is no interested person(s) and industries by giving them loans to produce locally so as to conserve revenue. Its importation is not

In the spirit of self-reliance and the exploitation of local sources of raw materials for industries, the results of this

Art 186 Introductions to Ceramics. Types of clays. Geological origins and working properties. Retrieved June 21, 2011. Idenyi N.E. Nonmetallic Materials. 1st Edition, Strait gate Communication. (2002) P.8. Ige I.I. Materials Science and Analysis. Susan Publishers Ltd Akure, Nigeria. (2004) p 79. Ajayi I.A. Introduction to Refractory Technology. Akins Press Ltd, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria. (2002) pp. 7-10.

Aso I. and Ajayi O. A. Introduction to Mining. Vol. 1 Kenlua Paper back London (1999) pp 19-20 and 28-29.

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7. 8. 9.

Doyle P.J. Glass Making Today (Society of Glass Technology Shefield). Portollis Press, England. (1978) 1-2. Journal of ACTA Mineralogical - Petrographica, Szeged. (2002) Vol. 43. 79-83. & Engineering, USA. (2009) Vol. 8, No. 9, Pp 701-713.

Isiaka Olajide Odewale et al., IJSID, 2013, 3 (1), 93-100

10. Sundararajan M, Ramaswamy S and Raghavan P. Evaluation for the Beneficiability of White Silica Sands from the

Abdel Rahman I.F. Physical and Chemical Characteristics of Silica sand Deposit (white sand) of Wadi Watir Region Sinai. BS 2975:1988, British standard methods for sampling and analysis of glass-making sands, British Standards, 1988. Overburden of Lignite Mine situated in Rajpardi district of Gujarat, India. Journal of Minerals & Materials Characterization

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