Conversion of Local Bentonite into a Useful

Product and its Commercialization

Group Members:
Suleman Tahir CU-34-2019
Asim Afridi CU-84-2019
Qasim Jan CU-94-2019
Fahad Khan CU-96-2019

Supervisor: Sir Bakht Zamin Industrial Expert

Signature: Engr Shams Ul Islam
Assistant Director PDA
1) Introduction:
Bentonite is a swelling clay consisting mostly of minerals of smectite group
E. g, Montmorillonite. Which can be found in the form of either Sodium Montmorillonite or
Calcium Montmorillonite. [1-2]
Around the world bentonite is used industrially for its physical and chemical properties such as
in drilling muds, foundation of dams, sealants, iron ore pelletizing, filtering agents, thickeners,
pharmaceuticals, molecular engineering etc. And so, the need for more bentonite is growing
constantly. [3-10]
There are many deposits of bentonite in Pakistan such as KPK, Gilgit Baltistan, Mirpur Etc. [11-
13]
However, the problem within Pakistan is that currently many bentonite deposits are not being
utilized and instead bentonite is being imported at a high cost from other countries.
Another Problem within Pakistan is the fact that only around 50% (in most cities) of
Solid/Liquid Waste is collected and disposed of properly by the authorities. [14-15]
The other 50% is dumped in landfills and left there which poses health hazards by seepage and
contaminates ground water sources. [16-17]
So, the need for an impervious liner which meets requirements and also prevents seepage of
contaminants is very important. [18-19]
So, with our research we want to understand why bentonite deposits are underutilized as well as
solve a problem of solid waste dumping which in turn will create another use for bentonite and
promote its usage locally by ensuring research is made available to the public.
2) Targeted SDGS:
SDG 3 “Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all Ages”:
By developing a good liner for landfill, we can stop soil pollution and contamination which in
turn will ensure healthy lives and wellbeing of the people.

SDG 6 “Ensure access to water and sanitation for all”:

People throughout Pakistan depend upon ground water for drinking purposes however many
water sources are contaminated or at risk of contamination due to solid waste dumping in
landfills. So, by developing a good liner which is also made of easily available resources ensures
water is clean and sanitary for drinking.

SDG 8 “Promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and

decent work for all”:
By Commercializing bentonite clay, we can enable the creation of new job opportunities which
in turn promotes economic growth and employment for people.

SDG 9 “Build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialization and

foster innovation”:
By conducting research on bentonite, we can promote the benefits of it which in turn may
interest the government and other agencies to fund extraction of bentonite promoting
industrialization.

SDG 12 “Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns”:

Bentonite clay in Pakistan is not well researched and so is unused throughout Pakistan. By
utilizing locally available bentonite as clay liner we can ensure the sustainable consumption of
bentonite without it remaining unused as well as it being used as a cheaper alternative to
importing expensive clay from other countries if deposits are available locally.
3) Literature Review:
• In this paper the stability and long-term integrity of a landfill is tested to sustain stresses
and deformation as well as assessing stability and failures which could result due to loss
of lining integrity (seepage due to waste), It utilizes the traditional approach of limit
equilibrium analysis technique as well as numerical analysis to determine stability.
Jones, Russell & Dixon, Neil. (2005). Landfill lining stability and integrity: The role of
waste settlement. Geotextiles and Geomembranes - GEOTEXT GEOMEMBRANE. 23.
27-53. 10.1016/j.geotexmem.2004.08.001.

• Since landfills are going to be continuously required for disposal of waste, this paper
discusses operation of municipal solid waste landfills. It also discusses issues of waste
placement and leachate, and diffusion of contaminants through composite liners.
Rowe, Ronald. (2011). Systems Engineering The Design and Operation of Municipal
Solid Waste Landfills To Minimize Contamination of Ground Water. Geosynthetics
International. 18. 10.1680/gein.2011.18.6.391.

• This paper discusses uses of bentonite in Metal Casting, Drilling Fluids, Pet waste
Absorbents, Iron Ore pelletizing, Bleaching, Paper Making, Environmental Sealants,
Desiccant (Drying Agent).
Eisenhour, Don & Brown, Richard. (2009). Bentonite and Its Impact on Modern Life.
Elements. 5. 83-88. 10.2113/gselements.5.2.83.

• Bentonite is located around the world in different countries and it is also different in its
composition as well, In this paper white bentonite from San Juan, Argentina is tested. For
us to evaluate Bentonite in Pakistan we need to compare its physical properties and
chemical composition with other Bentonite samples already tested in other countries.
Wanda A Allo, Haydn H Murray, Mineralogy, chemistry and potential applications of a
white bentonite in San Juan province, Argentina, Applied Clay Science, Volume 25,
Issues 3–4, 2004, Pages 237-243, ISSN 0169-1317,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clay.2003.10.003.

• For an effective liner it is necessary for it to prevent solid/liquid waste to seep through the
layer and so it is important to test qualifications of local bentonite as soil sealant with
previously done research so as to be sure that local bentonite quality can compete with
imported bentonite proving even more reason for the commercialization of local deposits
over importing.
G.R. Alther, The qualifications of bentonite as a soil sealant, Engineering Geology,
Volume 23, Issues 3–4, 1987, Pages 177-191, ISSN 0013-7952,
https://doi.org/10.1016/0013-7952(87)90089-5.
• Study conducted within Pakistan showing performance of bentonite is comparable with
imported clay hence giving even more reason for commercialization of local bentonite
deposits.
Nasreen, S., Ghani, A., & Noor, S. (2010). Evaluation and activation of Cambalpur
bentonite for industrial utilization. Pakistan Journal of Scientific and Industrial
Research, 53(3), 123-126.

• Material Specification for Geosynthetic Liner

Material Specification 595—Geosynthetic Clay Liner -NRCS
https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/16/nrcs143_025672.pdf

• For following up-to-date and modern procedures of tests needed for assessing quality of
Bentonite.
https://www.astm.org/

• This article describes the current waste management situation in Pakistan as well as
greenhouse gas emissions and also gives a roadmap for solving these issues.
Asian Development Bank March 2022 “Solid Waste Management Pakistan Road Map”
4) Proposed Methodology:
Hydrometer
• Acquire Bentonite and normal Clay Samples from different deposits.
• Conduct Testing on samples for finding various parameters:
1. Hydrometer Analysis (ASTM D7928)
2. Unconfined Compressive Strength (ASTM D2166-06)
3. Soil Consolidation (ASTM D2435)
4. Shear Strength (ASTM D3080-04/D7181)
5. Atterberg Limit (ASTM D4318)
6. Moisture Content (ASTM D4944)
7. MDD (ASTM D698/AASHTO T99) UCS Test Apparatus
8. Swelling Index (ASTM D5890)
9. Viscosity of Clay (ASTM D6910-04)
10. Methylene Blue Index of Clay (ASTM C837–09)
11. Cone Penetration Test (ASTM D3441-16)
12. Limit Equilibrium (Slope Stability Analysis)
13. Specific Gravity
14. Loss on Ignition (LOI)
15. Green Compressive Strength ASTM Liquid Limit (Atterberg) Test Set
16. Wet Tensile Strength
17. Plate Water Absorption
18. pH value
• Send Samples to laboratory for Chemical Composition testing.
• Compare results with requirements for a good liner.
• Create Report.
• Talk to suppliers and work on commercialization of research.
Moisture Content Test Set
• Evaluate and Correct Errors in Report.
• Final Report.

Standard Proctor Test for MDD

Swelling Index Apparatus

5) Aims and Objectives:
• Find additional uses for bentonite clay in Pakistan
• Promote benefits of local bentonite over other clays/imported clays.
• Commercialize usage and selling of Bentonite.
• Make bentonite cost effective so that local bentonite is used in place of importing it.

6) Expected Outcomes:
• Commercialize local bentonite deposits and promote local bentonite so it is used over
importing it.
• Find other uses for bentonite.

7) Proposed Schedule:
Milestone description Progress Start Weeks

Project Schedule

Procuring Clay Samples 10% 07/11/2022 1

Testing of Samples 35% 16/11/2022 5

Initial Project Proposal

40% 28/11/2022 1
Presentation
Talk With Suppliers for
60% 16/12/2022 2
Commercialization

Preparing Report 65% 26/12/2022 1

Project Proposal Defence 70% 09/01/2023 1

Review and Evaluation of

80% 17/01/2023 2
Report

Progress Report 85% 06/02/2023 1

Final Report 100% 06/03/2023 1

8) References:
1. Christidis, G.E. & Huff, Warren. (2009). Geological Aspects and Genesis of Bentonites.
Elements. 5. 93-98. 10.2113/gselements.5.2.93.

2. I. E. Odom (1984). Smectite clay minerals: properties and uses.

https://doi.org/10.1098/rsta.1984.0036

3. Borah, Debasis & Nath, Harshajit & Saikia, Dr.Hemaprobha. (2021). Modification of
bentonite clay & its applications: a review. Reviews in Inorganic Chemistry. 42.
10.1515/revic-2021-0030.

4. Eisenhour, Don & Brown, Richard. (2009). Bentonite and Its Impact on Modern Life.
Elements. 5. 83-88. 10.2113/gselements.5.2.83.

5. Khan, Kaffayatullah & Khan, Shaukat & Salim, Muhammad & Ashraf, Muhammad.
(2017). Improvement of Locally Available Raw Bentonite for Use as Drilling Mud. The
Open Construction and Building Technology Journal. 11. 274-284.
10.2174/1874836801711010274.

6. Shah, L., Khattak, N., Valenzuela, M., Manan, A., & Valenzuela Díaz, F. (2013).
Preparation and characterization of purified Na-activated bentonite from Karak (Pakistan)
for pharmaceutical use. Clay Minerals, 48(4), 595-603.
doi:10.1180/claymin.2013.048.4.03

7. G.Jock Churchman, Muhammad Askary, Paul Peter, Martin Wright, Mark D. Raven,
Peter G. Self, Geotechnical properties indicating environmental uses for an unusual
Australian bentonite, Applied Clay Science, Volume 20, Issues 4–5, 2002, Pages 199-
209, ISSN 0169-1317, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0169-1317(01)00078-3.

8. Wanda A Allo, Haydn H Murray, Mineralogy, chemistry and potential applications of a

white bentonite in San Juan province, Argentina, Applied Clay Science, Volume 25,
Issues 3–4, 2004, Pages 237-243, ISSN 0169-1317,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clay.2003.10.003.

9. G.R. Alther, The qualifications of bentonite as a soil sealant, Engineering Geology,

Volume 23, Issues 3–4, 1987, Pages 177-191, ISSN 0013-7952,
https://doi.org/10.1016/0013-7952(87)90089-5.

10. Necip Güven; Bentonites - Clays for Molecular Engineering. Elements 2009;; 5 (2): 89–
92. doi: https://doi.org/10.2113/gselements.5.2.89
11. Nasreen, S., Ghani, A., & Noor, S. (2010). Evaluation and activation of Cambalpur
bentonite for industrial utilization. Pakistan Journal of Scientific and Industrial Research,
53(3), 123-126.

12. Haider, Naghmah & Khan, Sajjad & Ali, Asghar & Ali, Liaqat. (2016). Mineralogical
and geochemical study of bentonite deposits of Garhi Chandan area, District Nowshera,
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Arabian Journal of Geosciences. 9. 10.1007/s12517-016-
2555-y.

13. Malkani, M. (2020) Mineral Resources of Gilgit Baltistan and Azad Kashmir, Pakistan:
An Update. Open Journal of Geology, 10, 661-702. doi: 10.4236/ojg.2020.106030.

14. Asian Development Bank March 2022 “Solid Waste Management Pakistan Road Map”

15. “Sanchez-Triana, Ernesto; Enriquez, Santiago; Afzal, Javaid; Nakagawa, Akiko; Khan,
Asif Shuja. 2014. Cleaning Pakistan's Air : Policy Options to Address the Cost of
Outdoor Air Pollution. Directions in Development--Energy and Mining;. Washington,
DC: World Bank. © World Bank.
https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/18887 License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.”

16. Jones, Russell & Dixon, Neil. (2005). Landfill lining stability and integrity: The role of
waste settlement. Geotextiles and Geomembranes - GEOTEXT GEOMEMBRANE. 23.
27-53. 10.1016/j.geotexmem.2004.08.001.

17. Raisi, Sumaiya & Sulaiman, Hameed & Suliman, FakhrEldin O. & Abdalla, Osman.
(2014). Assessment of Heavy Metals in Leachate of an Unlined Landfill in the Sultanate
of Oman. International Journal of Environmental Science and Development. 5. 60-63.
10.7763/IJESD.2014.V5.451.

18. Rowe, Ronald. (2011). Systems Engineering The Design and Operation of Municipal
Solid Waste Landfills To Minimize Contamination of Ground Water. Geosynthetics
International. 18. 10.1680/gein.2011.18.6.391.

19. Material Specification 595—Geosynthetic Clay Liner -NRCS

https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/16/nrcs143_025672.pdf