Composicin y Propiedades
La diatomita es una roca slicea de origen sedimentario, presentando diversos grados
de consolidacin; principalmente esta constituida de restos fosilizados de diatmeas.
La diatomita representa una forma nica de silica por cuanto no se ha encontrado en la
naturaleza o haya sido producida por la manufactura de arte, que tenga sus
caractersticas de estructura fsica.
La diatomita pura esta formada por silica opalina o hdrica, presentando en solucin
slida o como una parte esencial del complejo de opalo, pequeas cantidades de
componentes inorgnicos asociados alumina, hierro, tierras alcalinas, metales
alcalinos y otros constituyentes menores. La diatomita tambin contiene cantidades
inusuales de agua libre, la cual puede variar de 10 a 60 por ciento o ms. Los
depsitos ms importantes del mundo, se caracterizan por ser depsitos del tipo seco,
en donde la diatomita se presenta como material de peso liviano. La densidad aparente
(base seca) in situ vara de 0.32 a 0.64 TM/m3.
El valor de la diatomita sin tratamiento se basa principalmente en la naturaleza de las
partculas diatomaceas, contenido de slice, carbonatos, argellita o impurezas solubles
y el grado de compactacin del manto o estrato. Estos factores se reflejan en la
densidad aparente, capacidad de absorcin, friabilidad y conformacin potrogrfica del
manto. En general la diatomita es extremadamente porosa, baja conductividad de
calor y electricidad, qumicamente inerte; capaz de absorver y retener gran cantidad
de lquidos con los cuales tiene grandes superficies de contacto.
Caractersticas y Usos
Filtracin
El uso ms importante y espectacular de la diatomita es como ayudante de filtracin
para la clarificacin y purificacin de una gran variedad de lquidos en el proceso
qumico, metalrgico, alimentos, frmacos, bebidas, petrleo y otras industrias. Las
partculas de un producto apropiado de diatomitas molidas permiten, en el proceso de
filtracin, la formacin de una torta de poros abiertos en el cual las impurezas o
partculas suspendidas son capturadas, supliendo de esta manera un filtrado bien
clarificado libre de tales impurezas. Existen varios grados de diatomita de variados
tamaos y formas de partculas, los cuales forman tortas de diferentes porosidades y
capacidades de filtracin.
Relleno
La diatomita es un importante mineral de relleno, extensin, revestimiento, etc, para
diversas composiciones y materiales fabricados. El orden de importancia relativa es en
cubiertas de proteccin (pinturas, varnices, lacas), papel, insecticidas, plsticos,
composiciones asflticas, fertilizantes y una extensa variedad de productos trmicos.
Estos incluyen varillas de soldadura, tintas de impresin, compuestos para lacrados;
explosivos, fsforos, revestimiento dental y muchos otros.
Aislamiento
6 DIATOMITES
Composition and Properties
The diatomite is a rock silice of sedimentary origin, presenting diverse consolidation
grades; mainly this constituted of fossilized remains of diatomeas. The diatomite
represents an unique form of silica since has not been in the nature or have been
produced by the art factory that has its characteristics of physics structure.
The pure diatomite is formed by opaline silice or hidric, presenting in solid solution or
like an essential part of the opal complex, small quantities of components inorganic
associates - alumina, iron, alkaline lands, alkaline metals - and other smaller
constituents. The diatomite also contains unusual quantities of free water, which can
vary from 10 to 60 percent or more. The most important deposits in the world, are
characterized to be deposits of the dry type where the diatomite is presented as
material of light weight. The apparent density (dry base) in situ varies from 0.32 to
0.64 TM/m3.
The value of the diatomite without treatment is based mainly on the nature of the
particles diatomaceas, silica content, carbonates, argellite or soluble sludges and the
grade of compactation of the mantel or stratum. These factors are reflected in the
apparent density, capacity of absorption, friability and potrographic conformation of
the mantel. In general the diatomite is extremely porous, low conductivity of heat and
electricity, chemically inert; capable of absorbation and to retain great quantity of
liquids with which has big contact surfaces.
Structural materials
In the field of the construction materials, the diatomite is used in the production of
several types of bricks, plagues/thin walls (majolica ware, flagstones, tiles), the same
ones that can be together with different materials including clays, cement portland,
plaster, lime or magnesium. Additionally, the mortars, cements, plastered and stuccos
contain diatomaceas lands. Also, in processed combinations of active ingredients of
surface and entramp of air with diatomite, it has been possible to obtain an
appropriate composition of low capacity of retention of water, improving the quality of
the concrete.
The diatomites mixtures constitute excellent compositions in the perforation of oil
wells, either as modifiers of the perforation muds or for the cementation of the
perforation holes.
Origin and Geologic Formation
The diatomite is a rock formed by shells of algae unicelulars called diatomeas with
microscopic dimensions. These plants appeared during the transition from the
Cretaceous to the Tertiary, forming colonies in fresh water or brackish of agreement
with their species. The shells, formed by amorphous silica (opal) and accumulated to
considerable depths, they suffered subsequent compact becoming potential deposits of
diatomites. When they rise above the levels of water, exposed to leaching and erosion,
such silts constitute the current deposits of interest.
The extraordinary abundance of diatomites in Peru is linked with the intense activity
hydrothermal during the Tertiary and principles of the Quaternary one which
contributed the silica for the diatomeas shells. The rocks rich in marine diatomeas are
plentiful in the departments of Ica, Piura and Tumbes; the constituted silts present
thicknesses of some hundred of meters. The deposits of the Mioceno, existent in the
Coast, they are intimately linked with those of phosphates. The deposits with lacustrine
diatomeas are known in the department of Cajamarca, Ancash, Junin, Ayacucho, Cuzco
and Arequipa.
The deposit Tarucani in the department of Arequipa presents a dear potential of 50 MM
of TM. The representative composition is the following one:
SiO2 Al2O3 Fe2O3 CaO MgO K2O Na2O TiO2 % 69.2 5.2 2.2 4.68 6.5 1.04 1.18 0.34
Near Arequipa also exploits the diatomites of Polobaya. The diatomite in the Formation
of Ayacucho has 85% to 98% opal (amorphous SiO2).