Lab / Labsa
Mixed solvents
Lubricants
Used oil
Plastic raw materials
Clinker is a nodular material produced in the kilning stage during the production of cement and is used as the binder in many cement products. The lumps or nodules of clinker are usually of diameter 3-25 mm and dark grey in color. It is produced by heating limestone and clay to the point of liquefaction at about 1400°C-1500°C in the rotary kiln. Clinker, when added with gypsum (to control the setting properties of cement and ensure compressive strength) and ground finely, produces cement. Clinker can be stored for long periods of time in a dry condition without degradation of quality, hence it is traded internationally and used by cement manufacturers when raw materials are found to be scarce or unavailable.
The four main components of clinker are:
The most common type of clinker is produced for Portland cement and its blends. The types of clinker vary depending on the type of cement for which the clinker is produced. Aside from the Portland cement blends, some special types of cement clinker are listed below:
Use of Clinker:
Conversion to Cement
Clinker, combined with additives and ground into a fine powder, is used as a binder in cement products. Different substances are added to achieve specific properties in the produced cement. Gypsum added to and ground with clinker regulates the setting time and gives the most important property of cement, compressive strength. It also prevents agglomeration and coating of the powder at the surface of balls and mill wall. Some organic substances, such as Triethanolamine (used at 0.1 wt.%), are added as grinding aids to avoid powder agglomeration. Other additives sometimes used are ethylene glycol, oleic acid, and dodecyl-benzene sulphonate. The most notable type of cement produced is Portland cement, but certain active ingredients of chemical admixtures may be added to clinker to produce other types of cement, such as:
Clinker is primarily used to produce cement. Since it can be stored in dry condition for several months without noticeable deterioration, it is traded internationally in large amounts. Cement manufacturers buy clinker for their cement plants in areas where raw materials for cement are scarce or unavailable.
The demand for clinker is expected to remain strong in the future due to continued growth of construction industry and the increasing demand for infrastructure development and housing.
Limestone is a sedimentary rock primarily composed of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) in the form of mineral calcite or aragonite. It is one of the most common and widely distributed rocks on Earth, with a wide range of uses in various industries and natural settings.
Composition: Limestone consists primarily of calcium carbonate, but it may also contain variable amounts of impurities such as clay, silt, and organic material. The presence of impurities can affect its color and texture.
Formation: Limestone forms in marine environments where the accumulation of calcium carbonate-rich organic debris, including shells and coral, is prevalent. Over time, these materials compress and harden, forming limestone deposits.
Types: There are various types of limestone, each with its unique characteristics. Some common varieties include chalk, marl, travertine, and tufa, which differ in terms of texture, origin, and usage.
Uses: Limestone is a versatile rock with a wide range of applications. It is commonly used as a building material in the construction industry for making concrete and mortar. It is also used in the production of lime, which is crucial for numerous industrial processes. Additionally, limestone is utilized in agriculture to improve soil quality and in the production of crushed stone for road construction and landscaping.
Cement Production: Limestone is a key ingredient in the production of cement. It is ground into a fine powder and mixed with clay and other materials to create cement, which is essential in the construction industry.
Limestone plays two major roles in the cement manufacturing process, one is used as a raw material for cement clinker, and the other is used as a cement admixture.
Limestone is one of the key raw materials of cement clinker. Around 80-90% of the raw material for the kiln feed is limestone.
Gypsum is an evaporite mineral most commonly found in layered sedimentary deposits in association with halite, anhydrite, sulfur, calcite, and dolomite. Gypsum (CaSO4.2H2O) is very similar to Anhydrite (CaSO4). The chemical difference is that gypsum contains two waters and anhydrite is without water. Gypsum is the most common sulfate mineral.
Uses
Role of Gypsum in Cement
The main purpose of adding gypsum in the cement is to slow down the hydration process of cement once it is mixed with water. The process involved in hydration of cement is that, when the water is added into cement, it starts reacting with the C3A and hardens. The time taken in this process is very less, which doesn't allow time for transporting, mixing and placing. When gypsum is added into the cement and water is added to it, reaction with C3A particles tales place to form ettringite. This ettringite is initially formed as very fine-grained crystals, which form a coating on the surface of the C3A particles .These crystals are too small to bridge the gaps between the particles of cement. The cement mix therefore remains plastic and workable. The time allowed for mixing, transporting and placing plays a important role in strength, composition and workability of concrete. As gypsum retards the process of hydration, it is termed as retarding agent of cement.
Effects of Gypsum on Cement
Petroleum coke is a carbonaceous product obtained in the oil refining process. It is abbreviated as Coke or Petcoke, and is a carbon-rich solid material derived from final cracking process — a thermo-based chemical engineering process that splits long chain hydrocarbons of petroleum into shorter chains— that takes place in coker units. There are two distinctive grades of Petroleum Coke viz. Calcinable or Green Petcoke and Fuel Grade Petcoke.
Benefits of Fuel grade Petcoke over coal
Urea, also known as carbamide, is a highly significant organic compound with the formula CO(NH2)2. It plays a crucial role in a number of biological and industrial contexts, which is attributed to its unique chemical properties and composition. First discovered in the early 18th century, urea remains a staple compound in both scientific study and practical applications.
Industrial Applications of Urea
The largest scale use of urea is as a nitrogen-release fertilizer, where it provides an essential nutrient to promote plant growth. This application alone accounts for over 90% of its global production. Besides this, urea also has uses in other sectors:
Urea in Laboratory Practices
Urea has a significant role in laboratory practices as well. It is used in the denaturation of proteins, a process that involves breaking down the complex structure of proteins into their constituent amino acids. This is particularly important in molecular biology and biotechnology, where it facilitates the study and manipulation of proteins.
Urea is an organic compound that has many uses
Sulfur (S), nonmetallic chemical element belonging to the oxygen group (Group 16 [VIa] of the periodic table), one of the most reactive of the elements. Pure sulfur is a tasteless, odourless, brittle solid that is pale yellow in colour, a poor conductor of electricity, and insoluble in water. It reacts with all metals except gold and platinum, forming sulfides; it also forms compounds with several nonmetallic elements. Millions of tons of sulfur are produced each year, mostly for the manufacture of sulfuric acid, which is widely used in industry.
The main uses of Sulphur:
Kaolin, also known as kaolinite, is a soft, white, naturally occurring clay mineral that primarily consists of the mineral kaolinite, along with varying amounts of other minerals like muscovite, quartz, feldspar, and anatase. It is extensively used in various industrial applications such as ceramics, paints, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and agriculture due to its desirable properties including chemical inertness, absorbency, and non-swelling capabilities.
Uses of kaolin
Feldspar is the name of a large organization of rock-forming silicate minerals that make up over 50% of Earth’s crust. They are discovered in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks in all components of the sector. Feldspar minerals have very comparable structures, chemical compositions, and bodily properties. Common feldspars consist of orthoclase (KAlSi3O8), albite (NaAlSi3O8), and anorthite (CaAl2Si2O8).
Potassium feldspar has various uses
Ball Clay is a type of clay that is highly plastic and characteristically valued for its high degree of plasticity. It is a fine-grained and sedimentary clay that is usually white in color, though it can occasionally present a grey to a dark brown hue. Its name is derived from the old English method of mining this clay in the shape of rough ‘balls.’
The composition of Ball Clay includes a variety of minerals. Primarily, it contains kaolinite, mica, and quartz. However, it is the presence of organic matter and a certain degree of fine grain size which endows it with its trademark plasticity and binding properties. These clays are thought to have been formed by the weathering and transportation by water of parent rocks.
Uses
Soda feldspar, a mineral highly valued for its exceptional properties, brings together strength and sustainability in a unique combination. As a leading producer of soda feldspar, Anyang Lishi recognizes the significance of this mineral in various industries. This article explores the inherent strength of soda feldspar and its contribution to sustainable practices, highlighting how it enhances product durability while promoting eco-conscious manufacturing.
Soda feldspar, also known as sodium feldspar, is a mineral composed of aluminum silicate and sodium oxide. Its unique chemical composition contributes to its exceptional characteristics, making it a sought-after material across multiple industrial sectors. Anyang Lishi, as a prominent producer, understands the value of soda feldspar and its positive impact on strength and sustainability.
Soda Feldspar Uses
Bauxite is a significant ore of aluminum, a naturally occurring solid material from which a metal or valuable mineral can be extracted profitably. Named after the southern France village of Les Baux where it was first discovered in 1821 by geologist Pierre Berthier, bauxite primarily consists of aluminum oxide compounds, including alumina, gibbsite, boehmite, and diaspore.
Bauxite is not a mineral but a rock with minerals in it. It is a clay-like substance which is pinkish, whitish or reddish in color depending on the amount and type of impurities. It is soft and, when struck with a hammer does not produce a metallic sound.
Uses
Iron Ore is a naturally occurring solid material from which valuable minerals are extracted for commercial use. Iron ores are rocks and minerals that can be economically extracted to produce metallic iron. They are generally rich in iron oxides. They come in various colours such as dark grey, bright yellow, rusty red, deep purple, etc.
Iron Ore Types
They are classified according to the percentage of metallic iron in them:
Uses
Gabbro is a coarse-grained, dark-colored, intrusive igneous rock. It is usually black or dark green in color and composed mainly of the minerals plagioclase and augite. It is the most abundant rock in the deep oceanic crust.
Gabbro is composed mainly of calcium-rich plagioclase feldspar (usually labradorite or bytownite) and pyroxenes (usually augite). Minor amounts of olivine might also be present in the rock.
Uses
Aggregate is a term used for the collection of granular material that is used throughout the building industry. Aggregates refer to materials like gravel, sand, crushed stone, and recycled concrete. These materials make up the primary element in construction mixes like concrete and asphalt. These materials give the binding substances a solid component that adds substance and strength around which the liquid elements bond.
Aggregate, in building and construction, material used for mixing with cement, bitumen, lime, gypsum, or other adhesive to form concrete or mortar. The aggregate gives volume, stability, resistance to wear or erosion, and other desired physical properties to the finished product.
Uses
Aggregates are materials used in building and construction to mix with cement, bitumen, lime, gypsum, or other adhesive to form concrete or mortar.
Here are some popular uses for aggregates.
APPLICATIONS
APPLICATIONS
Slag, by-product formed in smelting, welding, and other metallurgical and combustion processes from impurities in the metals or ores being treated. Slag consists mostly of mixed oxides of elements such as silicon, sulfur, phosphorus, and aluminum; ash; and products formed in their reactions with furnace linings and fluxing substances such as limestone. Slag floats on the surface of the molten metal, protecting it from oxidation by the atmosphere and keeping it clean.
Uses
Sodium Carbonate, also known as washing soda or soda ash, is a sodium salt of carbonic acid. This notable chemical compound boasts a variety of uses in different domains due to its versatile properties. The chemical formula for Sodium Carbonate is Na2CO3.
Historically, it was extracted from the ashes of plants growing in sodium-rich soils. Because the ashes of these sodium-rich plants were noticeably different from ashes of wood (once used to produce potash), sodium carbonate became known as “soda ash”.
Types of soda ash
The uses of sodium carbonate are listed below.
Sodium hydroxide, also widely recognized as caustic soda or lye, is an inorganic chemical compound with the formula NaOH. This compound is one of the most basic industrial chemicals used across various industries. In its pure form, sodium hydroxide appears as a white, solid crystalline substance that readily absorbs moisture from the air.
Sodium hydroxide is a strong base and ranks as one of the most commonly used alkalis. It has a high affinity for water, undergoing exothermic reactions when combined with it, which can be used to generate considerable amounts of heat. This is often exploited in many applications that require the increase of temperature.
As a solid, sodium hydroxide is colorless, odorless, and features a crystalline structure. When dissolved in water or neutralized with acid it liberates substantial heat, which can be dangerous.
Uses
Bitumen is the binding material present in asphalt, which is a mixture of bitumen and aggregate (such as gravel, sand, or crushed stone) used for paving roads, runways, and other surfaces.
Sometimes it is also called mineral tar. Bitumen is made by partial distillation of crude petroleum.
Bitumen is chemically a hydrocarbon and insoluble in water. But it entirely dissolves in alkalies, alkaline carbonates, benzol, chloroform, bisulphide, naptha, coal tar, petroleum spirit, and oil of turpentine.
It holds 87% carbon, 11% hydrogen, and 2% oxygen (by weight). It is produced in a solid or semi-solid state and black or brown in color.
The refining of crude oil produces a thick, viscous, black or dark-colored, sticky substance known as bitumen, which is commonly used as a binding material for road construction, roofing, and waterproofing.
Uses
Gilsonite (uintaite) is a natural hydrocarbon substance of the class known as asphaltites (see Asphalt), occurring as a coal-like solid which is mined much like other minerals and sold essentially in its native state.
Gilsonite is soluble in aromatic and aliphatic solvents, as well as petroleum asphalt. Due to its unique compatibility, Gilsonite is frequently used to harden softer petroleum products. Gilsonite in mass is a shiny, black substance similar in appearance to the mineral obsidian. It is brittle and can be easily crushed into a dark brown powder. When added to asphalt cement or hot mix asphalt in production, Gilsonite helps produce paving mixes of dramatically increased stability.
Uses
Bentonite is a type of absorbent clay primarily composed of aluminosilicate minerals such as montmorillonite. It was named after Fort Benton in Wyoming, where the largest source of the clay was first identified. Bentonite possesses some unique properties that make it incredibly useful in many industries and applications, from construction to cosmetics.
Bentonite is formed from volcanic ash deposits. Over long geological periods, ash deposits accumulate, weather, and over time transform into clay. The specific conditions during this formation process, including the presence of water and specific minerals, largely determine the characteristics of the resulting clay.
The principal component of bentonite clay is montmorillonite, which is a member of the smectite group of clays. Montmorillonite consists of two tetrahedral sheets of silica sandwiching an octahedral sheet of alumina. Interlayer cations, water, and other components may also be present. This complex structure provides the clay with its unique absorbent properties.
Uses
Barite, the most common barium mineral, barium sulfate (BaSO4). Barite occurs in hydrothermal ore veins (particularly those containing lead and silver), in sedimentary rocks such as limestone, in clay deposits formed by the weathering of limestone, in marine deposits, and in cavities in igneous rock. It commonly forms as large tabular crystals, as rosettelike aggregates of those crystals, or as divergent plates known as crested barite.
Grades Of Barite
Generally, there are three grades in Barite lumps: 4, 4.1, and 4.2.
The more the specific gravity, the higher the quality you get. The Barite lumps with high specific gravitational properties are suitable for a wide range of applications in medical, industrial, and manufacturing fields.
Uses
Calcium Carbonate, denoted chemically as CaCO3, is a common substance typically found in rocks across all parts of the globe. It is the primary component in the shells of marine organisms, snails, coal balls, pearls, and eggshells. It also serves as an active ingredient in agricultural lime, a key material in soil treatment.
Calcium Carbonate exhibits several interesting physical properties. It is a white, crystalline solid at room temperature, and its common forms include the hexagonal crystal form known as calcite. This compound is tasteless and odorless, but it has a chalky texture that is detectable upon contact.
Uses
Hydrated lime is a type of dry powder made from limestone. It is created by adding water to quicklime in order to turn oxides into hydroxides. Combined with water and sand or cement, hydrated lime is most often used to make mortars and plasters. Its chemical name is calcium hydroxide, or Ca(OH)2.
Uses
White cement is a type of cement composed almost entirely of calcium hydroxide. It’s used for waterproofing and as a refractory material in construction.
White cement is a type of Portland cement with a higher percentage of calcium sulfate. This makes it more robust and less brittle than regular cement, which can be helpful for projects that require a more durable finish. Additionally, white cement is often used in construction because it is less expensive than other types of cement.
Gypsum has many interesting properties, including its very unique crystal habits. Many Gypsum crystals are found perfectly intact without distortions or parts broken off. Such crystals are found in a clay beds as floater crystals, where they fully form without being attached to a matrix. Gypsum crystals are known for their flexibility, and slim crystals can be slightly bent. (Though trying to bend good crystals is not recommended, as their flexibility is weak, and if flexed too much they will break.)
Gypsum has the same chemical composition as the mineral Anhydrite, but contains water in its structure, which Anhydrite lacks. Many Anhydrite specimens absorb water, transforming into the more common Gypsum. Some Gypsum specimens show evidence of this, containing growths of crumpling layers that testify to their expansion from the addition of water.
In a small number of Gypsum specimens, water gets trapped inside a crystal in a hollow channel while the crystal forms. When such a crystal is rotated, a water "bubble" moves around inside it toward the lowest point in the channel. Such specimens are considered a mineralogical oddity, and are very desirable to collectors. These are called "enhydros".
Uses
Commonly used in commercial settings like offices, gypsum ceilings used to consist mostly of solid square tiles interspersed with fluorescent lighting. Today, gypsum ceilings come in all kinds of different shapes, many of which are custom-crafted to fit a particular space. Though they’re made of the same materials, gypsum ceiling tiles are often on the thinner side compared to wallboard, so they’re lighter and easier to hang.
The Gypsum board consists of a core of set gypsum surfaced with specifically manufactured paper firmly bonded to the core.
Gypsum board is extensively used in drywall construction, where the plaster is eliminated. It is also available in the market with one surface covered with aluminum and another surface covered with the heat-reflecting type of foil or with imitation wood grain or another pattern on the exterior surface so that no extra decoration is required.
The different types of gypsum board generally available in the market are clued wallboard, backing board, core board, fire-resistant gypsum board, water-resistant gypsum board, and gypsum form board.
Uses
Gypsum, a soft sulfate mineral, is widely used in agriculture as a soil amendment. We know that soil is the foundation of agriculture, and it is essential to maintain the soil's health and structure to ensure healthy crop growth. Gypsum plays a significant role in improving soil structure, reducing erosion, and enhancing water percolation through the soil profile.
One of the benefits of using gypsum in agriculture is its ability to improve soil pH levels. Gypsum is a neutral salt that can help neutralize acidic soils, which can be detrimental to crop growth. By adding gypsum to the soil, we can improve soil pH levels, which in turn can increase crop yield and quality. Additionally, gypsum can help treat aluminum toxicity, which can be a common problem in acidic soils.
Uses
Gypsum is a naturally occurring mineral that has been used by humans for various purposes for thousands of years. It is a versatile mineral with a wide range of applications in construction, agriculture, industry, and even art. In this introduction, we’ll explore the definition and composition of gypsum.
Gypsum is a soft sulfate mineral composed of calcium sulfate dihydrate (CaSO4·2H2O). It is commonly found in sedimentary rock formations and is often associated with other minerals such as anhydrite, halite, and sulfur. The name “gypsum” is derived from the Greek word “gypsos,” which means “plaster” or “chalk.”
The water content in gypsum is essential to its unique properties and versatility. When gypsum is heated, it undergoes a process called calcination, during which it loses some or all of its water content, depending on the temperature and duration of heating. This results in the formation of different gypsum products with varying properties, such as plaster of Paris, stucco, and gypsum board.
Gypsum is known for its softness and can be easily scratched with a fingernail. Its physical appearance can vary from transparent and colorless to white, gray, brown, or even pink, depending on impurities present in the mineral.
Uses
Cement, in general, adhesive substances of all kinds, but, in a narrower sense, the binding materials used in building and civil engineering construction. Cements of this kind are finely ground powders that, when mixed with water, set to a hard mass. Setting and hardening result from hydration, which is a chemical combination of the cement compounds with water that yields submicroscopic crystals or a gel-like material with a high surface area. Because of their hydrating properties, constructional cements, which will even set and harden under water, are often called hydraulic cements. The most important of these is portland cement.
Uses
Quicklime (CaO), compound of one atom of calcium and one atom of oxygen that is a white or grayish white solid produced in large quantities by roasting calcium carbonate so as to drive off carbon dioxide. At room temperature, CaO will spontaneously absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, reversing the reaction. It will also absorb water, converting itself into calcium hydroxide and releasing heat. The bubbling that accompanies the reaction is the source of its name as “quick,” or living, lime. The reaction of quicklime with water is sometimes used in portable heat sources.
Calcium Oxide is a caustic substance that reacts exothermically with water to form calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2). This process is known as slaking or hydration. The compound is strongly basic, making it useful in the neutralization of acids and acidic soils. It has a high melting point of 2572°C and is insoluble in alcohol but soluble in glycerol and acids.
Uses
