Evaluation of Some Physico-chemical and Mineralogical Properties of Clay Mineral Deposits in Ihievbe, Owan East Local Government Area, Edo State, Nigeria

Abstract

The chemical, physical and mineralogical composition of clay mineral deposits at Ihievbe in Owan East Local Government Area of Edo  State, Nigeria were evaluated using standard methods. The chemical assay revealed the predominance of silica (41.85-42.82%), alumina  (20.17-20.42%), iron oxide (11.33-13.75%), sodium oxide (5.09-12.04%), loss on ignition (3.93-4.67%) and moisture(1.07%).This indicates  that the deposit consist largely of aluminosilicate minerals. The mineralogical studies revealed the presence of montmorillonite, kaolinite,  halloysite, muscovite, palygoskite as clay minerals present. Other minerals present were kyanite, naotocite, quartz, goethite  and ramsdelite. The evaluated physical properties showed that the clay minerals had moderate swelling characteristics, medium  plasticity, good thermal stability and refractoriness above 1200^oC. However, the apparent porosity and air permeability values were  slightly above permissible limits for refractory clays. Thus the clay mineral deposits assayed possess characteristics to enable them to be  employed in high temperature operations.