Electroplasma enrichment of natural diatomite

Abstract

Method of electrohydraulic enrichment of natural diatomite from the Kazakhstan deposit as a multipurpose nanomaterial has been developed. Electrohydraulic method is based on separation of diatomite from the clay component under the influence of plasma energy arising in a short electric discharge. Complex study of enriched diatomite by spectral, X-ray diffraction (XRD), silicate (chemical) and thermal analysis methods was carried out. Independent methods of analysis applied show almost identical results for the degree of diatomite enrichment with silicon oxides (SiO2), being in the range of 78 - 80 %.

Keywords

• diatomite
• electrohydraulic method
• silicon oxide
• enrichment
• methods of analysis