Determination of the constituents and suitability of Azara barytes for industrial applications

Abstract

Azara baryte was analyzed and had an average specific gravity of 4.3g/cm³ and loss on ignition of 1.71wt%. Atomic Absorption spectrometery was used to determine the Fe₂O₃,Al₂O₃ and BaO contents. SiO₂ and SO₃ were determined by gravimetry while CaO, MgO, Na₂O and K₂O were determined by flame photometry. The percentage average values for the chemical oxides in the baryte samples were BaO (57.29wt%), SO₃(25.99wt%), CaO(1.40wt%), MgO(0.40wt%), Fe₂O₃(3.46wt%), Al₂O₃(0.97wt%), Na₂O(2.82wt%), K₂O(0.30wt%) and SiO₂(6.23wt%). These results indicate that Azara baryte lies within the range for use in glass production and as a filler or extender in paint and rubber production, but will require further beneficiation in order to be a suitable component of oil drill mud.

Keywords: Azara Baryte, Specific gravity, Gravimetery, Atomic Absorption Spectrometery. Flame photometry.