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ATTAPULGITE – AN OVERVIEW, USES AND MINING OF THIS MINERAL AT MATUTU ABSORBENTS

Attapulgite, which is also known as Palygorskite, is a magnesium aluminium phyllosilicate with the scientific formula (Mg,Al)2Si4O10 (OH)•4(H2O). The Attapulgite mineral naturally occurs in a type of clay soil and it is known as one of the types of fuller’s earth.

The name “attapulgite” is derived from the town of Attapulgus, which is situated in the United States of America in the southwest corner of Georgia, where the mineral is abundant and surface-mined.

VERMICULITE – GETTING ACQUAINTED WITH THIS VERSATILE MINERAL

WHAT EXACTLY IS VERMICULITE? The word “Vermiculite” literally stems from the Latin word “Vermiculus”, which when translated to English means “little worm”. When vermiculite is subjected to heat, it expands (which is called exfoliation) to firm elongated worm-like particles which are incombustible, lightweight, compressible, highly absorbent, recyclable and non-reactive. Unlike asbestos, Vermiculite is non-carcinogenic and 100% safe. The colour of un-exfoliated (raw) vermiculite is light to dark brown with a yellowish tint.

INMIM EQUIPMENT DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING

A QUICK INTRODUCTION 

INMIM is a privately owned company that forms part of the Sun Silicates group, a group of companies that mine, process and manufacture a variety of high tech products. The group works from their head office in Wadeville Germiston were the use of the common infrastructure, ensure high quality products at competitive prices.
INMIM was formed after engineers at Sun Silicates had the need to design their own processes and build tailor made equipment due to high design and manufacturing costs of specialised equipment. INMIM has low overhead costs and the capability to design and manufacture nearly any component at a fraction of market related design & manufacturing costs.

SUNPERL PRODUCTS AS FILTER AIDS IN THE DEWAXING OF EDIBLE SUNFLOWER OIL

In the edible oil refining process, sunflower seeds are put through various steps to produce edible oil which can be used in cooking. The process consists of seed preparation and cleaning, pressing of the seeds to extract the oil, degumming, refining, bleaching, dewaxing and deodorization.

During the dewaxing process, the oil is cooled and filtered in order to remove the waxes and other impurities that crystallize during cooling. SunPerl products can be used for this filtration purpose.

VERMICULITE AND GARDENING

Vermiculite is a sterile, odourless and fireproof mineral. Along with another naturally occurring mineral – Perlite – it’s often added to potting soil or used in the horticultural and hydroponic industries.

VERMICULITE – A QUICK OVERVIEW

Vermiculite is a hydrated magnesium aluminium silicate mineral, and it resembles the mineral mica in appearance. Vermiculite can be found in various countries across the world. These countries include Australia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Kenya, Russia, South Africa, Uganda, USA and Zimbabwe. Vermiculite is non-carcinogenic and 100% safe.

POTASSIUM SILICATES

What exactly is Potassium Silicates?

Well, Potassium silicate glass is a colourless, super cooled melt of potassium carbonate and pure silica sand with the general formula K2SiO3. Potassium silicate solutions are prepared by dissolving potassium silicate glass in hot water. This results in a viscous fluid that has a density of in the region of 1.3 to 1.4.
The ratio of the SiO2: K2O can also be manipulated depending on the application. Mass ratios of between 1.4:1 and 2.2:1 are typical.

ATTAPULGITE – THE EXTREMELY VERSATILE MINERAL

ATTAPULGITE USED FOR SPILL KITS, TO CLEAN WORKSHOP FLOORS, CLEAN TOOLS AND DEODORIZING FRIDGES.

Attapulgite is an extremely versatile industrial mineral that has many practical applications in and around the house, workshop or factory.
The Product is also known as fuller earth or palygorskite and is a Ca, Mg Phyllosilicate that has a needle like structure.
This structure ensure that this clay mineral is highly absorbent and can absorb up to 80% of its mass in oil, water, chemical liquids and heavy metal ions. This makes it suitable for many applications, some off which we are going to discuss today.