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Geological Overview of White silica Sands

Thesis · January 2013

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 Zagazig University
Faculty of sciences
Department Of Geology

Prepared By

Abdelrahman Ahmed Ali Abdelrahman

4th year Special Geology
In partial fulfillment of the requirement to the degree of B.SC. in Geology

Under Supervisor

DR . Fatma Sayed Ramadan

Ass. Prof. of Sedimentary Rocks

2013
 Acknowledgements

Thanks God who helped us to finish this work. Author wishs to express
their deep gratitude to Prof. Dr. Fekri Abu Al-Enin, Head of Geology
Department Faculty of Science, Zagazig University, for his kind interest,
encouragement and valuable advice.

Author is grateful to Dr. Fatma Sayed Ramadan, Ass. Prof. of

Sedimentary Rocks in Geology Department, Faculty of Science, Zagazig
University, for suggesting the subject, supervision of the whole work and for
her valuable help and continuous encouragement throughout the course of
study.

1
 Contents

CHAPTER I : INTRODUCTION ............................................................................ 4

CHAPTER II : GEOLOGY AND OCCURRENCE OF INDUSTRIAL SILICA................ 8

CHAPTER III : PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES………………………. 11

CHAPTER IV : PROCESSING TECHNOLOGIES…………………………………… 13

CHAPTER V : SILICA SAND IN EGYPT……………………………………………..16

CHAPTER VI : INDUSTRIAL SAND APPLICATIONS………………………………. 22

REFERENCES………………………………………………………………………...35

2
 List of Tables
Table (1) Illustrates the range of iron level permitted in each of the grades of silica sand…..14

Table (2) Illustrates Chemical Analysis of Silica Sand (grade A) After Treatment………….18

Table (3) Illustrates Chemical Analysis of Silica Sand (grade B) Natural……………………19

Table (4) Illustrates Granulomertical Analysis of Silica Sand (grade B) Natural……………..19

Table (5) Illustrates Chemical Analysis Silica Sand ( grade C ) natural………………………20

Table (6) Illustrates Glass Types Quality……………………………………………………...23

Table (7) Illustrates characteristics of Silica Sand for Filtration……………………………....25

Table (8) Illustrates Sample of Grades of Filter sand and Filter Gravel …………………..….25

Table (9) Illustrates three main grades, namely, A, B and C with respect to clay content…….29

Table (10) Illustrates three main grades of cement industry silica sand....................................31

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4
 CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

Silica is the name given to a group of minerals composed of silicon and oxygen, the two most
abundant elements in the earth's crust. Silica is found commonly in the crystalline state and rarely in
an amorphous state. It is composed of one atom of silicon and two atoms of oxygen resulting in the
chemical formula SiO2. Sand consists of small grains or particles of mineral and rock fragments.
Although these grains may be of any mineral composition, the dominant component of sand is the
mineral quartz, which is composed of silica (silicon dioxide). Other components may include
aluminum, feldspar and iron-bearing minerals. Sand with particularly high silica levels that is used for
purposes other than construction is referred to as silica sand or industrial sand.
Two general types of sand:
1-Naturally bonded (bank sand)
2-synthetic (lake sand)
For a particular source of sand to be suitable for glassmaking, it must not only contain a very high
proportion of silica but also should not contain more than strictly limited amounts of certain metallic
elements. Silica sand is also normally required to be well-sorted, i.e. to have grains of an
approximately uniform size. Most sources of sand used by the construction industry do not satisfy
these requirements and are not, therefore, suitable for glassmaking.
Industrial uses of silica sand depend on its purity and physical characteristics. Some of the more
important physical properties are: grain size and distribution, grain shape, sphericity, grain strength
and refractoriness.

What is Industrial Sand (silica sand)

Industrial sand is a term normally applied to high purity silica sand products with closely
controlled sizing Image (1). It is a more precise product than common concrete and asphalt gravels.
Silica is the name given to a group of minerals composed solely of silicon and oxygen, the two most
abundant elements in the earth’s crust.

5
 In spite of its simple chemical formula, SiO2, silica exists in many different shapes and
crystalline structures .Found most commonly in the crystalline state Image (2), it also occurs in an
amorphous form resulting from weathering or plankton fossilization.
For industrial and manufacturing applications, deposits of silica yielding products of at least 95% SiO2
are preferred. Silica is hard, chemically inert and has a high melting point, attributable to the strength
of the bonds between the atoms. These are prized qualities in applications like foundries and filtration
systems. Quartz may be transparent to translucent and has a vitreous luster, hence its use in
glassmaking and ceramics. Industrial sand’s strength, silicon dioxide contribution and non-reactive
properties make it an indispensable ingredient in the production of thousands of everyday products.
Some silica sand deposits may cater for the used primarily as metallurgical sand. The copper and zinc
at some smelter uses the sand as a fluxing agent which, in the molten state, reacts with various
impurities in the ore and produces a slag. The slag is drawn off with the impurities, leaving a more
refined metal behind.
Silica sands have a large number of other industrial uses depending on their characteristics
• Production of glass
• Foundry sand
• Ceramics
• Sandblasting and other abrasives
• Building products
• Filler and extender
• Production of silicon and silicon carbide
• Pigments
• Hydraulic fracturing and propping in the oil industry
• Ultra high silica products in the electronic and fiber optic industries, fused silica, silicone products
• Water filtration
The first industrial uses of crystalline silica were probably related to metallurgical and glass
making activities in three to five thousand years BC. It has continued to support human progress
throughout history, being a key raw material in the industrial development of the world especially in
the glass, foundry and ceramics industries. Silica contributes to today's information technology
revolution being used in the plastics of computer mouse and providing the raw material for silicon
chips. Although glassmaking and foundry uses predominate, numerous minor uses are based on either
the chemical purity or physical properties of the sand (such as grain-size distribution or grain shape).
These include ceramics, water filtration, fluidized-bed furnaces and chemical manufacture. Owing to
the demanding specifications required for each application, silica sand for glassmaking is distinct from

6
that used for other purposes. In addition to glassmaking, its other major use is in moulds for the
foundry industry.

Image (1) High purity silica Image (2) crystalline state of silica

7
8
 CHAPTER II

GEOLOGY AND OCCURRENCE OF INDUSTRIAL SILICA

Silica sand is an industrial term used for sand or easily disaggregated sandstone with a very
high percentage of quartz (silica) grains. Quartz is the most common silica crystal and the second most
common mineral on the earth's surface. It is found in almost every type of rock; igneous, metamorphic
and sedimentary. While quartz deposits are abundant, and quartz is present in some form in nearly all
mining operations, high purity and commercially viable deposits occur less frequently. Silica sand
deposits are most commonly surface mined in open pit operations, but dredging and underground
mining are also employed.
Extracted ore undergoes considerable processing to increase the silica content by reducing
impurities. It is then dried and sized to produce the optimum particle size distribution for the intended
application.
Silica sand may be produced from both unconsolidated sands and crushed sandstones.
The sand is a product of mechanical and chemical weathering of quartz-bearing igneous and
metamorphic rocks such as granites and some gneiss. Erosion and chemical weathering break down
the less stable minerals such as feldspars and release the more stable ones such as quartz and zircon.
The stable mineral fragments are transported and deposited in water. Wave and stream action may
further modify the deposits by sorting and washing until a relatively pure deposit of silica sand
remains Image (3).
Silica exists in nine different crystalline forms or polymorphs with the three main forms being
quartz, which is by far the most common, tridymite and cristobalite. It also occurs in a number of
cryptocrystalline forms. Fibrous forms have the general name chalcedony and include semi-precious
stone versions such as agate, onyx and carnelian. Granular varieties include jasper and flint. There are
also anhydrous forms - diatomite and opal.
Quartz is the second most common mineral in the earth's crust. It is found in all three of the earth's
rock types - igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary. It is particularly prevalent in sedimentary rocks
since it is extremely resistant to physical and chemical breakdown by the weathering process. Since it
is so abundant, quartz is present in nearly all mining operations. It is present in the host rock, in the ore
being mined, as well as in the soil and surface materials above the bedrock, which are called the
overburden.

9
Most of the products sold for industrial use are termed silica sand. The word "sand" denotes a material
whose grain size distribution falls within the range 0.06-2.00 millimeters. The silica in the sand will
normally be in the crystalline form of quartz. For industrial use, pure deposits of silica capable of
yielding products of at least 95% SiO2 are required. Often much higher purity values are needed.
Silica sand may be produced from sandstones, quartzite and loosely cemented or unconsolidated sand
deposits Image (4)..
High grade silica is normally found in unconsolidated deposits below thin layers of overburden. It is
also found as "veins" of quartz within other rocks and these veins can be many meters thick. On
occasions, extremely high purity quartz in lump form is required and this is produced from quartzite
rock. Silica is usually exploited by quarrying and it is rare for it to be extracted by underground
mining.

Image (3) pure deposit of silica sand Image (4) unconsolidated sand deposits.

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11
 CHAPTER III

PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES

The three major forms of crystalline silica -quartz, tridymite and cristobalite- are stable at
different temperatures and have subdivisions.
For instance, geologists distinguish between alpha and beta quartz. When low temperature alpha
quartz is heated at atmospheric pressure it changes to beta quartz at 573oC.
At 870oC tridymite is formed and cristobalite is formed at 1470oC. The melting point of silica
is 1610oC, which is higher than iron, copper and aluminium, and is one reason why it is used to
produce moulds and cores for the production of metal castings.
The crystalline structure of quartz is based on four oxygen atoms linked together to form a three-
dimensional shape called a tetrahedron with one silicon atom at its centre.
Myriads of these tetrahedrons are joined together by sharing one another's corner oxygen atoms to
form a quartz crystal.
Quartz is usually colorless or white but is frequently coloured by impurities, such as iron, and
may then be any color. Quartz may be transparent to translucent, hence its use in glassmaking, and
have a vitreous luster. Quartz is a hard mineral owing to the strength of the bonds between the atoms
and it will scratch glass. It is also relatively inert and does not react with dilute acid. These are prized
qualities in various industrial uses.
Depending on how the silica deposit was formed, quartz grains may be sharp and angular, sub-angular,
sub-rounded or rounded Image (5). Foundry and filtration applications require sub rounded or rounded
grains for best performance.

Image (5) Quartz grains; sharp and angular, sub-angular and sub-rounded or rounded.

12
13
 CHAPTER IV

PROCESSING TECHNOLOGIES

Silica deposits are normally exploited by quarrying and the material extracted may undergo
considerable processing before sale. The objectives of processing are to clean the quartz grains and
increase the percentage of silica present, to produce the optimum size distribution of product
depending upon end use and to reduce the amount of impurities; especially iron and chromium, which
color glass.
To meet these tight specifications, the sand often has to be subjected to extensive physical and
chemical processing.
This involves crushing, screening and further adjusting the grain-size distribution, together
with removing contaminating impurities in the sand and from the surface of the individual quartz
grains Image (6). The presence of metallic oxides in glassmaking sands usually results in coloured
glass. If iron is present, the resulting glass is coloured green or brown. The iron level is consequently
the most critical parameter in determining whether particular sand can be used to make clear glass.
Sands used to manufacture colorless glass are therefore likely to be processed further by methods such
as acid leaching, froth flotation or gravity separation Image (7).

Table (1) Illustrates the range of iron level permitted in each of the grades of silica sand.
Glass Iron content (%)

Crystal glass 0.00

Borosilicate glass 0.05

Optical glass 0.10

Colorless containers 0.15

Clear flat/float glass 0.20

Coloured containers 0.25

Insulating fibers 0.30

Ranges of acceptable iron content in silica sand

14
In ascending order of permitted iron content, the three most commonly produced categories
of glass are:
(a) Colorless container glass (or `flint' glass);
(b) Clear flat glass (or `float' glass); and
(c) Coloured container glass.
These are also the most significant of the various applications for sand from the quarries relating to
this merger.

Image (6) Removing contaminating impurities in the sand Image (7) Gravity separation

15
16
 CHAPTER V

SILICA SAND IN EGYPT

In Egypt, there are two main locations of high quality silica sand 1st, Zaafrana –Red Sea, and
the 2nd, north and south Sinai, The resaves in Zaafrana area and Sinai are over thousands million ton of
high quality silica sand Image (8),Image (9), Image (10). Which supply the glass industries, paints,
foundries, chemicals and ceramics.
Silica sand for glass, Silica sand for crystal, Silica sand for foundry, Silica sand for painting,
Silica Sand for oil and gas, Silica Sand for Stamped concrete, Silica Sand for water filtration, Silica
Sand for gulf Course, Silica Sand for water treatment, Silica sand for plastering, Silica Sand for sand
plastering and for many uses ...etc.

Image (8) Image (9) Image (10)

Showing high quality silica sand in Zaafrana area and Sinai

17
TS provide the silica sand with the next specifications: -

Silica Sand (grade A) After Treatment

Chemical Analysis

Table (2) Illustrates Chemical Analysis of Silica Sand (grade A) After Treatment.

Compound Percentage Tol.

(%)

SiO2 99.7 ± 0.02

Fe2O3 0.007 ±
0.002

Al2O3 0.07 ± 0.02

Tio2 0.021 ±
0.002

K2O + 0.02 ±
Na2O 0.003

CaO + 0.02 ±
MgO 0.004

L.O.I 0.03

GRANULOMETRY:

Over size 0.600mm 0.5 %

Under size 0.100mm 0.5 %

18
Silica Sand (grade B) Natural

Chemical Analysis

Table (3) Illustrates Chemical Analysis of Silica Sand (grade B) Natural.

ELEMENT RESULT

( sio2 ) 99.4 – 99.6 %

( AL2O3 ) 0.05 – O.15%

( Fe2O3 ) 0.012 – O.O18 %

( Mg O ) 0.05 % Max

( Ca O ) 0.06 % Max

( TiO2 ) O.OO2 PPM

( L.O.I. ) 0.18 % Max

Humidity 0.04 % Max

Granulomertical Analysis

Table (4) illustrates Granulomertical Analysis of Silica Sand (grade B) Natural.

Less than : 0.106 mm 0 to 2 %

From 0.106: 0.25 mm 20 to 30 %

From 0.25: 0.425 mm 55 to 75 %

From 0.425: 0.60 mm 5 to 10 %

Bigger than : 0.60 mm 0 to 3 %

19
Silica Sand (grade C) natural

Chemical Analysis

Table (5) Illustrates Chemical Analysis Silica Sand (grade C) natural.

ELEMENT %

SiO2 Greater than 99 %

Fe2O3 0.04 ± 0.005%

Al2O3 0.35 to 0.45%

TiO2 0.025% Maximum

GRAIN SIZE Analysis:

Plus 30 mesh (0.59mm) 2%

Plus 40 mesh (0.42mm) 5% Maximum

Minus 40 mesh to plus 100 mesh > 80%

(0.42 to 0.15mm)

Minus 140 mesh (0.105mm) 5% Maximum

Minus 200 mesh (0.074mm) ZERO

Moisture: Less than 0.2%

Silia sand companies in Egypt

1. Al-Masria For Imp &Exp Est. (H.S.M)

2. Noor Eastcom.Ltd

3. International Mining Company for Import and Export _ Amon Mining

4. Al-Sadek Co. For Export, Import & Mining

5. Rena Group For Internal And External Trade

6. El Helal For External Trade

7. Toptradeway-Mining Group

20
 8. Pharos For Crops & Mineral Material (Pharostone) ...

9. Semco Ltd.

10. Al-Andalos For Engineering Work, Trade & Contracting ...

11. East Import & Export

12. Toptradeway Group

13. Egyptian International Company For Mining

14. Green Egypt Group

15. El Harm For Trading

16. Egyberg

17. Silica Mining Co, Mining Market, Worldwide Export

We are exporting to many countries e.g.

UAE-Cyprus-Greece-Albania-Italy-Georgia-Croatia-Syria-Lebanon-Malta-Kuwait-Qatar-Algeria-
Libya

21
22
 CHAPTER VI
INDUSTRIAL SAND APPLICATIONS

1-Glass Industry
Glass is the DNA of the new modernity Silica sand is the primary component of all types of
standard and specialty glass. It provides the essential SiO2 component of glass formulation and its
chemical purity is the primary determinant of colour, clarity and strength. Industrial sand is used to
produce flat glass for building and automotive use Image (11), container glass for foods and beverages,
and tableware Image (12). In its pulverized form, ground silica is required for production of fiberglass
insulation and reinforcing glass fibers. Specialty glass applications include test tubes and other
scientific tools, incandescent and fluorescent lamps, television and computer CRT monitors.

Image (11) Image (12)

Table (6) Illustrates Glass Types Quality.

Glass Types Quality Quality

Optical and ophthalmic glass Grade A
Tableware and lead crystal Grade B
glass
Borosilicate glass Grade C
Colorless (or clear) container Grade D
glass
Clear flat glass Grade E
Coloured container glass Grade F
Glass for insulating fibers Grade G

23
Glass Types Quality
BS 2975 gives detailed chemical and physical specifications for each of these grades of glass sand.
These specify parameters such as:
(a) Minimum silica levels;
(b) Maximum levels of aluminum, iron, chromium, copper, cobalt, nickel and vanadium;
(c) Maximum alkali levels;
(d) Maximum losses on heating; and
(e) Particle size distributions.
The amounts by which many of these parameters are permitted to vary between deliveries are also
specified. Normally ranging between 0.1 and 0.5 mm in diameter, that in the case of glassmaking
sands.
2-Silica Sand For Filtration
We can extract from High Quality Quarries with sio2 more than 96.7% which was river sand
since thousands of years. The raw materials is generally Extracted from East Egypt, Wadi El Natron,
Sadat City, Giza.

Cairo Filter Sand is used to filter and clean Portable water filters and pool filter and sewage treatment
plant purity more than 96%, Free of any organic materials, no clay, no radiation, and no toxic
materials Image (13) and Image (14).

Image (13) Sewage treatment plant purity Image (14) Water filters

24
 Table (7) Illustrates characteristics of Silica Sand for Filtration.

Characteristics

Color Brown/Yellowish(off White )

SiO2 96.90%

Fe2O3 0.29%

AL2O3 1.00%

K2O 0.070%

Turbidity <100

Hardness 6 - 7 Mohr

Attrition below 1% in 100 hours

Loss backwashing

Acid below 2% [24hours in 20% Hal]

Solubility

Table (8) Illustrates Sample of Grades of Filter sand and Filter Gravel.
Silica sand Sizes Silica Gravel Sizes
0.4mm 0.8mm 2mm 3.15mm

0.5mm 1mm 2.36mm 4.75mm

0.6mm 1.18mm 3.15mm 5.6mm

0.63mm 1mm 5.6mm 8mm

0.85mm 1.7mm 6.7mm 13.2mm

1mm 1.6mm 8mm 12.5mm

1mm 2mm 12.5mm 16mm

1.18mm 3.2mm 13.5mm 26mm

25
3-Metal Casting
Industrial sand is an essential part of the ferrous and non-ferrous foundry industry Image (15).
Metal parts ranging from engine blocks to sink faucets are cast in sand and clay mould to produce the
external shape, and a resin bonded core that creates the desired internal shape.
Silica’s high fusion point (1760°C) with catalysts or curing rate of chemical binders. Following the
casting process, core sand can be thermally or mechanically recycled to produce new cores or moulds.
and low rate of thermal expansion produce stable cores and moulds compatible with all pouring
temperatures and alloy systems.

Image (15) Ferrous and non-ferrous foundry industry

4-Chemical Production:

Silicon-based chemicals are the foundation of thousands of everyday applications ranging from
food processing to soap and dye production.
In this case, SiO2 is reduced to silicon metal by coke in an arc furnace, to produce the Si precursor of
other chemical processes.
Industrial sand is the main component in chemicals such as sodium silicate, silicon tetrachloride and
silicon gels.
These chemicals are used in products like household and industrial cleaners, to manufacture fiber
optics and to remove impurities from cooking oil and brewed beverages.
5-Building Products
Industrial sand is the primary structural component in a wide variety of building and
construction products.
Whole grain silica is put to use in flooring compounds, mortars, specialty cements, stucco, roofing
shingles, skid resistant surfaces and asphalt mixtures to provide packing density and flexural strength
without adversely affecting the chemical properties of the binding system.

26
Ground silica performs as a functional extender to add durability and anti-corrosion and weathering
properties in epoxy based compounds, sealants and caulks.
6-Ceramics & Refractories
Ground silica is an essential component of the glaze and body formulations of all types of
ceramic products, including tableware, sanitary ware and floor and wall tile. In the ceramic body,
silica is the skeletal structure upon which clays and flux components attach. The SiO2 contribution is
used to modify thermal expansion, regulate drying and shrinkage, and improve structural integrity and
appearance.
Silica products are also used as the primary aggregate in both shape and monolithic type refractories
to provide high temperature resistance to acidic attack in industrial furnaces.
7-Quality silica sand rotary dryer

Material is fed at feed port and discharged at the output port. in direct-type silica sand rotary
dryer (cylinder drier), hot air move through the cylinder in direct contact with the material, either with
or against the direction of its flow. The silica sand rotary dryer (cylinder drier) is equipped with
scatters, which lift the materials and make materials touched the hot air completely.
Silica sand rotary dryer is used for drying materials with a certain humidity or granularity in milling of
ores, building materials, metallurgy and chemical industry Image (16).

Image (16) Metallurgy and chemical industry

8-Oil and Gas Recovery

Known commonly as proppant, or “frac sand,” industrial sand is pumped down holes in deep
well applications to prop open rock fissures and increase the flow rate of natural gas or oil. In this
specialized application round, whole grain deposits are used to maximize permeability and prevent
formation cuttings from entering the well bore. Silica’s hardness and its overall structural integrity

27
combine to deliver the required crush resistance of the high pressures present in wells up to 2,450
meters deep. Its chemical purity is required to resist chemical attack in corrosive environments Image (17).

Image (17) Frac sand

9-Foundry Industry

Natural moulding sand contains variable amount of clay, which acts as bond between the sand
grains. This sand, therefore, posse strength, plasticity and refractoriness to varying extend depending
upon the clay minerals present. When it contains a greater amount of clay, it is blended with river
sand, which is relatively clay free so as to get the optimum properties desired in the sand mixture
Image (18).

High Quality and high deposit silica sand since thousands of years with Huge Reserve in
Egypt which available in Zafaran and Abou Zniema .

Washed grains shall be mostly sub-angular to rounded shape. As far as possible, the sand shall
be free from gravel. Natural moulding sand for use in foundries shall be of three main grades, namely,
A, B and C with respect to clay content.

Image (18) Foundry Industry

28
 Table (9) Illustrates three main grades, namely, A, B and C with respect to clay content.

Grade Clay %

A 5 to 10

B 10 to 15

C 15 to 20

10-Paint Industry

Paint formulators select micron-sized industrial sands to improve the appearance and durability
of architectural and industrial paint and coatings. High purity silica contributes critical performance
properties such as brightness and reflectance, color consistency, and oil absorption. In architectural
paints, silica fillers improve tint retention, durability, and resistance to dirt, mildew, cracking and
weathering. Low oil absorption allows increased pigment loading for improved finish color. In marine
and maintenance coatings, the durability of silica imparts excellent abrasion and corrosion resistance
Image (19).

Image (19) Paint Industry

29
 11-Silica Sand For Horse Racing Track
· Silica sand with High Quality for horse racing track as shown in Image (20).

-High purity 96.7-99%

-Dry sand no wet

-High practical size Distribution

-Rounded sand

-Free of organic and impurities materials

-Free of radiation

-Free of toxic

-Turbidity less than100

-No Dust

-No heavy metals

Image (20) Horse Racing Track

12-Sodium & Potassium Silicate Industry

Sodium silicate is proposed by fusing silica sand or quartz powder (20 – 100 mesh) analyzing
99% SiO2and less than 0.25%; Al2O3, 0.03% Fe2O3, and combined CaO/MgO content of 0.05% with
sodium carbonate at 1200° C to 1400° C. The ratio of Na2O3 can be varied to obtain a wide range of
products. Similarly, potassium silicate can be manufacture with silica mineral by using potassium
carbonate in place of sodium carbonate.

30
13-Cement Industry

In cement industry silica sanded crushed sandstone are used as an additive to make for silica
deficiencies in the raw mill. The silica content should be 65 – 98%, Fe2O3 –0.5- 6% Al2O3: 3.58
a0%, MgO: 1-105%. The standard sands play a very important role in the cement industry for testing
the quality of cement.

Physical Characteristics:

The standard sand shall be of quartz, of light gray or whitish variety and shall be free from silt.The
standard sand shall (100%) pass through 2mm I. S. sieve and shall be (100%) retained on 90 micron
I.S. sieve with the following particle size.

Table (10): Illustrates three main grades of cement industry silica sand

Particle Size Percent

Greater than 1mm 33.33 First grade

Smaller than 1mm and greater than 500 33.33 Second grade
micron
Below 500 microns 33.33 Third grade

Chemical Requirements: The standard sand shall be free from organic impurities. The loss of weight
on exaction with not hydrochloric acid of specific gravity 1.16 shall be more than 0.25%.

14-Ferro-Silicon Industry

Quartz suitable for ferro-silicon production should have more than 98% SiO2, less than 0.4%
Al2O3 and not more than 0.2% each of Fe2O3, CaO and MgO. No phosphorous or arsenic should be
present in quartz. If affects reduction in the electric furnace. Alkali has a tendency to promote a sticky
slag that contaminates the products. If higher iron (more than 0.3%) is present in quartz, then fusion in
the furnace takes place at lowest temperature and affects reduction process. Another important factor
is that quartz should have good thermal stability at 1200° C or more Image (21).

31
 Image (21) Ferro-Silicon Industry

15-Fertilizer Industry

Silica sand is used in fertilizer industry as filler to balance the fertilizer grades. There is no
rigid specification for this industry. The size of silica sand should be 18 – 100mesh, with SiO2 content
of 80% minimum and moisture 1% maximum. In some case even river sand is used.

16-Silicon carbide and other abrasives

Silica sand and quartz are used in the manufacture of silicon carbide grains. The sand should
for this purpose contain more than 99% SiO2, less than 0.1% each of Fe2O3 and Al2O3, no lime,
magnesia and phosphorous. Similarly, quartz should contain 99.50 – 99.75% SiO2, 0.04 – 0.05%
Al2O3, 0.05 – 0.10% Fe2O3, 1.10% CaO and MgO. Quartz is also used for the manufacture of sand
paper / cloth. For making this quartz (flint) should have high silica (99%) and low iron content as far
as possible. Another abrasive use of silica sand is sand blasting where by sand is fired under pressure
usually in the presence of water to suppress the dust against the material to be polished. For this
purpose the chemical composition of the sand is relatively unimportant but size frequency distribution
and the absence of clay clogging materials are very important.

17-Asbestos Products Industry

Silica powder with +97.5% SiO2, 0.8% Fe2O3 and 1.5% CaO is used as one of the constituents
in the manufacture of asbestos – cement sheets and pipes.

32
18-Insecticide Industry

Silica sand with +95% SiO2 is used as a carrier in the insecticide industry. The size of silica
sand granules needs to be –15 +30 mesh. However, the specifications for this industry are not very
rigid.

19-Electrode Industry

Silica sand or quartz powder is used as one of the components of welding flux mixture in
electrode industry, and for this purpose the silica minerals should contain 97.5 – 99.5% SiO2, 0.05%
(max.) Fe2O3, 0.03% (max.) S, having + 100 – 200 mesh size.

20-Coal Washery Industry

In coal washery silica sand is used as one of the ingredients in the flotation process of coal.
Sand with a constant density of more than 2.64 is used. Grains must be sub-angular to round. Clay
content is limited to 0.5% and no organic matter is tolerated size distribution range between 30 mesh
and 100 mesh.

21-Rubber Industry

Silica sand and quartz further are used as reinforcing filer to improve physical properties of
rubber. Generally, silica mineral with + 98% SiO2 and less than 0.1% metallic impurities is preferred.

22-Sand / Lime Bricks Industry

Large quantities of silica sand are used making sand-lime building bricks. For this purpose
sand may contain up to 2% of clay but it should not at any rate exceed 5%. It should be evenly grades.
At least 10% should be sharp and angular, reasonably clean and free from organic matter.

23-Pool Filter Sand

Pool Filter sand and Pool Filter Gravel as shown in Image (22) with different grades (0.4mm-
0.8mm ) (0.7mm-1.125mm ) (1mm-2mm)(2mm-3mm)(3.15mm-5.6mm) and characterized by:

1. High purity 96.7-99%

2. Dry sand no wet
3. Rounded sand
4. Free of organic and impurities materials
5. Free of radiation
6. Free of toxic

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7. No Dust
8. No heavy metals

Image (22) Pool Filter Sand

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35
 REFERENCES
Ahlbrandt, T.S. and Fryberger, S.G., 1981, Sedimentary features and significance of interdune
deposits, in Ethridge, F.P., and Flores, R.M., Recent and Ancient Nonmarine Depositional
Berendsen, A. M., and Berendsen, A. M. (1989).Marine painting manual. London: Graham &
Trotman.

British standard methods for sampling and analysis of glass-making. (1988)

Herrick, C.L. (1900). The geology of the White Sands, Jour. of Geology vol 8, p 112–128.

Kamar S. A. (2004). What is Silica?Mineral, Perindustrian,pp.1-7

Reid, W.H. (1980) Final Report: White Sands National Monument Natural Resources and Ecosystem
Analysis, CX702900001. Volume 1, Report of Studies. Laboratory for Environmental Biology,
University of Texas at El Paso Research Report Number 12.

Vandiver, V.W. (1936). Geological Report on White Sands Service, Southwestern Monuments
supplement for May, 1936, p. 381–400.

Whitney, M.I., 1985, Yardangs, Journal of Geological Education, vol. 33, p.93–96.

Wier, J.E., Jr., 1965, Geology and availability of ground water in the northern part of the White
Sands Missile Range and vicinity, New Mexico, U.S. Geological Survey Water-Supply Paper
1801, 78p.

http://www.engineershandbook.com/MfgMethods/vacuumprocessmolding.htm
http://www.studymode.com

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