Despite its name, montmorillonite clay is a stone. This is a mineral that can absorb large amounts of water while swelling. This property is due to its widespread use in many industries. Food clay, in connection with which it is used as a sorbent that purifies water and various products from harmful impurities. Other names of the mineral are also found in the literature: bolus, fuller’s earth, bentonite. However, it is most often referred to as montmorillonite clay. This is due to the name of the area where the stone was first discovered. The mineral was found in one of the cities of France - Montmorillon.
The properties
As mentioned above, the stone, absorbing water, swells greatly. In this case, the mass of the mineral increases up to 20 times. This property of montmorillonite clay is due to its structure. It has a layered character. In this case, the structure is represented by thin scales. Thus, montmorillonite is a sorbent that can be compared with activated carbon. At the same time, the stone is very plastic, which is why it is called clay.
Other properties of montmorillonite:
- The mineral is able to absorb not only water. It easily absorbs oils, petroleum products and even animal feces.
- Montmorillonite clay is a fairly soft material. It is comparable to talc. On the Mohs scale, the mineral has 1.5 points.
- In the stone, the plates are connected with grain-like particles. The diameter of the latter is not more than 2 mm. Due to the complex structure, the clay mineral is able to attract both positively and negatively charged particles. In addition, non-ionic substances are bound to the stone through a secondary valency.
- Montmorillonite has voluminous internal voids. Due to this, it can absorb a huge mass of foreign elements.
- The breed has a small density indicator. On average, 1.5 g per 1 cm 3. Thus, clay is not only plastic, but also very light.
- The mineral is white. Often you can notice a gray tint. Sometimes there are snow-white stones. Less commonly, the mineral has a greenish, pinkish, brownish or bluish tint.
Clay cracks as it dries. The nature of its fracture surface is uneven.
Varieties
The mineral composition of montmorillonite clay is variable. In addition, the water content in the stone is different each time.
Most often, the mineral contains oxides of the following elements:
- aluminum;
- gland;
- magnesium
- calcium
- potassium;
- sodium.
The percentage of oxides is not the same, which affects the properties of the material. For example, in some cases, the density of the mineral increases.
Depending on the chemical composition, the clay is classified as follows: Cu-, Fe, Cu-Fe-, Ni-, Mg-montmorillonite.
Origin
As a rule, the formation of material occurs under exogenous conditions. The most favorable for the formation of the mineral is an alkaline environment rich in Mg.
Montmorillonite is a stone that can form:
- in rocks (volcanic, sedimentary, metamorphic);
- in the soil;
- in the vicinity of hot springs.
In addition, the mineral is able to form in the marine environment. This occurs by transforming mica and hydromica.
Montmorillonite clay is a highly stable material. In desert areas, its surface layer turns into a material that looks like ordinary dust, which is carried through the air by wind. Subsequently, it settles in other areas, forming loess deposits.
Place of Birth
Mintmorillonite is one of the most common materials. Its deposits are concentrated around the world.
In Russia they are:
- In Kabardino-Balkaria (Herpegezh).
- In the Urals (Zyryansk field).
- In Khakassia (10th Farm).
- In the Crimea (in the region from Sevastopol to Karasubazar).
- In Yakutia.
- In the Amur region.
- In the Transbaikal Territory.
- In the Chelyabinsk region.
Other most famous deposits are in:
- Surroundings of the village of Gumbri (Western Georgia).
- In areas near the southeast of the city of Makharadze. The group of deposits is also located in Western Georgia.
- USA (Alabama, California, Georgia, Florida).
- France (Vienne).
- Germany.
- Hungary.
- Japan.
Most of the montmorillonite clay is extracted from primary deposits. However, placer mining is also highly developed. In Russia, the largest amount of the mineral is located in the Amur Region. According to statistics, an average of 270 thousand tons of montmorillonite are mined annually in the Russian Federation. At the same time, every 12 months this indicator increases by 1/10.
Production
This process is carried out in an open way. In other words, clay is mined during quarrying.
The cost of the breed depends on the method of extracting the rock. Advantages of career development:
- Preparatory work is carried out not only quickly, but also easily.
- Workers are in comfortable and safe conditions.
- Development costs are small.
- Effective mineral recovery.
Preparatory work involves geological exploration. If its results are positive, the area is drained and all the necessary communications are built. After this, stripping operations are carried out. Then follows the process of mining montmorillonite. The final stage is the transportation of stone.
Fields of application
Montmorillonite is able to absorb a large number of various elements. It has not only adsorbing, but also saponifying properties. Due to this, the mineral is widely used in the following industries:
- Oil industry. Clay perfectly cleans of impurities. The finished oil product does not contain carbonaceous substances, resins, etc.
- Textile industry. During the decoration of cloth materials with clay, stains from oils and fats are removed. In addition, the mineral has whitening properties.
- Rubber production. The mineral gives it rigidity and strength.
- Cosmetic and soap industry. Clay is a part of lipstick, powder, toothpaste, soap, etc.
- Food industry. Mineral cleans water, wines, juices, vegetable oils from impurities.
- The medicine. Montmorillonite is an active component of certain drugs prescribed for intoxication.
- Agriculture. Clay is used during the production of animal feed.
- The paper industry.
In addition, the mineral as a binder is used in the manufacture of ceramic products and iron ore pellets. It is worth noting that clay has excellent waterproofing properties.
Cost
Raw materials are very cheap, and therefore it is used massively in many areas of industry. The average cost of clay is 600 rubles per 1 kg.
The price directly depends on the purity of the raw materials and on the mineral that prevails in it. After all, as mentioned above, the composition of clay in different deposits is not the same. The cost of the purest raw materials can reach several thousand dollars per 1 ton.
Finally
Montmorillonite clay is actually a mineral, which is very plastic, which is the reason for its name. The breed was first produced in France. Currently, a large number of fields have been developed around the world. Montmorillonite has excellent absorbent properties. It easily absorbs water and all kinds of components, increasing in size up to 20 times. Currently, the mineral is used in many industries.