Vermiculite

Introduction – Zinc is an essential micronutrient for plants, animals and humans; on the other hand, it is a pollutant. Zinc is released into the aquatic environment through several industrial activities, such as mining, metal coating, battery production and also ceramic, wood, fabric, drug, sun blocks and deodorant industry. Human exposure to these heavy metals at significant levels can cause serious health effects. Accumulated zinc at human body can lead to health problems as " metal-fume fever " , nausea, diarrhoea, depression, lethargy, and neurological signs, such asseizures and ataxia [1–3]. Consequently, removal of zinc from wastewater is necessary to ensure adequately treated effluent quality for various uses. The permissible ion concentration level in drinking water as set by World Health Organization (WHO) is 5 mg/L for zinc. In this study, perlite and chitosan dispersed perlite were used as the adsorbent. Perlite is a naturally occurring dense glassy volcanic rock which includes mainly fused sodium potassium aluminium silicate (greater than 70%) and 3–5% water. Silanol groups can form on the perlite surface providing various adsorption properties. Chitosan, poly(D-glucosamine), is obtained by deacetylation of chitin. Chitosan is a natural biopolymer, hydrophilic, and has the ability to form complexes with metals. It is also a non-toxic, biodegradable and biocompatible material. It contains primary amino groups, which are useful for chemical modifications [4]. In this study, batch studies were performed to investigate the effects of various experimental parameters on zinc removal such as pH, initial zinc concentration, contact time, adsorbent ratio. Equilibrium isotherms of batch system were also analyzed by Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin and Dubinin-Redushkevich isotherm models. 2. Experimental-In this study, chitosan was dispersed on perlite to enhance the accessibility of OH and amine groups for adsorption of zinc ions. Chitosan coated perlite was prepared as spherical beads. Batch studies were performed to investigate the effects of various experimental parameters on zinc removal. From 0.5g/L to 12.5 g/L perlit and chitosan dispersed perlite were used as adsorbent to find the optimum zinc removal. Contact time experiments were run between 3-72 h. pH experiments were run between pH 4-10. To obtain the adsorption isotherms, initial zinc solution concentration was changed between 0.005-0.04 M. Zinc concentrations were measured by spectrophotometer (Jenway 6305 UV Spectrophotometer) according to zincon method. 3. Results and Discussion – Adsorption capacity of perlite was found %54 according to zincon method. 72 h end-over-end shaking was enough to reach the adsorption equilibrium. The maximum zinc adsorption was occurred at pH 7.5-8.0. Whereas with chitosan dispersed perlite, zinc was adsorbed at the range of %78 and zinc adsorption with chitosan dispersed perlite was reached maximum at pH =5.5-6. Zinc adsorption isotherm was obtained by changing the initial zinc concentration. Temkin isotherm model was fitted well with experimental parameters for both of the adsorbents. Maximum zinc uptake was found 1197 mg/L and 1941 mg/L for perlite and chitosan dispersed perlite, respectively. 4. Conclusions – Maximum zinc removal was observed in the presence of chitosan dispersed perlite. Temkin isotherm model described well zinc removal on the both perlite and chitosan dispersed perlite single layer zinc adsorption. Chitosan coated perlite was showed higher zinc adsorption compared with perlite.

Abstract— Concrete is the single most widely used construction material in the world. Concrete is used in such large amounts because it is simply, a remarkably good building material. Aggregates generally occupy 60 to 80 percent of the volume of concrete and greatly influence its properties, mix proportions and economy. Use of vermiculite in concrete, enhances the shrinkage and crack resistance, fire resistance and reduces environmental impact and also reduces the cost. Important characteristics of a good quality aggregate include resistance to abrasion, resistance to freeze/thaw action, resistance to sulfates, correct shape and surface texture, proper gradation, density, and compressive and flexural strength. The main purpose of the research is to study the strength parameters such as compressive strength, split tensile & flexural strength of concrete using vermiculite as partial replacement with 40%, 50% and 60% by weight. The main aim of this study is to make economical and eco-friendly concrete.

By Asbestos Watch Geelong Vermiculite is a sort of silicate mineral that generally adopted for its nature that would extend up to 80 times its usual size when in a high level of heat. Vermiculite melting points are 1350 Celsius, which is why vermiculite is used as an insulating material and in fireproof products. However, the use of vermiculite had been put into disagreement for the commercial use since it contains asbestos. Nevertheless, there is a type of vermiculite called Exfoliated Vermiculite-Safe And Abundant Mineral For a Commercial combination of minerals that resembles mica in form. When it is combined with organic elements like peat, coco peat, compost, and so on then, it causes the growth of the plant comprehensively. A hydrated Vermiculite is used as an anti-caking material, animal feed, bulking agent, fertiliser, pesticide and soil conditioner. It serves as an extensive scope of practical applications for example plasters, friction liners, pool liners, packing material and so on. The small proportion of vermiculite material is added to potting soil assist in retaining the moisture of the plants that are especially intended for enhancing the growth of indoor gardens. It's fireproof, absorbent and odourless that makes excellent for insulating attics. Depending on the chemicals and also the furnace temperature, it expands and undergoes alter in colour. The insulation of this mineral predominantly has numerous advantages when in comparison to structural grade concrete. The manufacturing process of this mineral is mining – concentrating – grading-exfoliating-classifying. It has numerous kinds of usage in which the manufacturing procedure differs according to its. One among that process is mining and concentrating which give upturn to vermiculite flakes, and another procedure is exfoliating and classifying operations, it produces a range of expanded vermiculite particles. The constructing method gets varied from mine to mine, plant to plant or location to location. The insulation material can also be solicited to a range of foundations, whereas it permits the architects and engineers with a lot of versatile design options. This kind of insulation is used in the manufacturing of many goods such as garden goods, fireproofing materials and cement goods. It has applications in insulation, sound-deadening materials, fire protection, paints, potting mixes, pesticides, sealants, and automotive brake pads. When considering concerning the mining procedure, it was crushed to eliminate the asbestos. It works as one of the highest thermal insulators that are employed as a perfect substitute for weathering course material. They are harmless with shiny flakes, which are mainly found between the joists in attic floors and inside exterior walls. Vermiculite has some of the major uses within the industrial field like absorbent packing, brake pads, brake footwear, drilling mud, insulation blocks, moulted metal insulations, paints, sealants, perfume absorbents and so on. Vermiculite concrete has a superior high quality of insulating properties and also this could be used for insulating about back boilers and as fire back support substance. It has low frequency and thermal conductivity, which gives it seductively for use as a soil amendment, lightweight construction aggregate and thermal insulation filler.

This research aims to determine the mechanical properties of light weight vermiculite concrete of M 30 grade by partial replacement of cement with GGBS and Dolomite In this study two different concrete mixes were prepared with partial replacement of cement with 40% of GGBS and fine aggregate with varying proportions of vermiculite of 0%,5%, 10%,15%,20% and 25% and another set of concrete mixes were prepared with partial replacement of cement with dolomite of 30% and fine aggregate with varying proportions of vermiculite of 0%,

Heat in building through roof is the major cause of unconditioned building or the major load for the air conditioned building.
So we carried out the specific studies by comparing the two design methodologies in the same format in assigning the factors that
would accept all the properties and statement. The designed mix and their following characteristics at different mix proportions
are studied. VermiQlite is a inert material so to resist the heat penetration

In Romania, soilless culture method in perlite substrate for tomato crop is still in early stages.� Few farmers practice the culture on perlite substrate.� Soilless cultures have many advantages such as increased yield, health and uniform product, conservation of water and land, better protects an efficient control of environmental pollution and reduce of workers for cultivation.� The aim of this study was effects of perlite substrate on tomato yield and fruit quality in soilless