Characterization of Oleh Clay Deposit for Industrial Application

The potential of a clay deposit in Delta State, Nigeria, specifically in Oleh Town, Isoko South Local Government Area, as an industrial raw material was investigated. The physicochemical properties were determined using standard methods. X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) was used for the analysis of mineralogical/chemical composition. Physical properties such as linear shrinkage, porosity, crushing strength, bulk density, as well as its thermal shock resistance, refractoriness, and Loss on Ignition Test (L.O.I) were also studied. The XRD studies showed that the clay contains silica (SiO2) 46.85%, alumina (Al2O3) 28.59%, magnesia (MgO) 0.053%, chromium oxide (Cr2O3) 0.03%, titanium oxide (TiO2) 0.053%, calcium oxide (CaO) 2.70%, iron oxide (Fe2O3) 2.00%, sodium oxide (Na2O3) 0.58%, potassium oxide 0.50%. It was observed that the physical properties changed with a change in temperature between 9000 and 12000 °C. At a maximum temperature of 1200 °C, it was observed that the clay has a bulk density; 1.91 g/cm3, an apparent porosity; 9.20%, linear shrinkage; 5.70%, cold crushing strength; 252.06 kg/cm2, respectively, hence the refractoriness of 1400 °C.The thermal shock resistance of 26 cycles, water absorption of 4.82%, and modulus of rupture of 44.11 kg/cm3 were also obtained at a firing temperature of 12000. Maximum apparent porosity and apparent density of 26.00% and 2.35g/cm3, respectively, were observed at a firing temperature of 900 °C. The clay is hence classified as belonging to the aluminosilicate family, hence its use for refractories production.