Diatomaceous earth product and method for making product
A diatomaceous earth product may include diatomaceous earth having a loose weight density of less than about 14 lbs/ft 3 , and a stoichiometric ratio of alkali metal to iron and/or aluminum ranging from about 100% to about 400%. A diatomaceous earth product may include diatomaceous earth having a loose weight density of less than about 14 lbs/ft 3 , and a silica specific volume of at least about 3.2. A method for making a low loose weight density diatomaceous earth product may include providing a feed material comprising diatomaceous earth having a silica specific volume of at least about 3.5. The method may further include adding alkali flux to the feed material to achieve a combination having a stoichiometric ratio of alkali metal to iron and/or aluminum that ranges from about 100% to about 400%, calcining the combination at a temperature ranging from about 1,600° F. to about 2,200° F.
1. A diatomaceous earth product, the product comprising diatomaceous earth having a loose weight density of less than about 14 lbs/ft 3 , and a stoichiometric ratio on an ignited basis for their respective high oxides of alkali metal to combined total of iron and aluminum ranging from 150% to 350%.
2. The product of claim 1 , wherein the loose weight density ranges from about 6 lbs/ft 3 to about 10 lbs/ft 3 .
3. The product of claim 1 , wherein the loose weight density ranges from about 11 lbs/ft 3 to about 14 lbs/ft 3 .
4. The product of claim 1 , wherein the stoichiometric ratio on an ignited basis for their respective high oxides of alkali metal to combined total of iron and aluminum ranges from 175% to 325%.
5. The product of claim 1 , wherein the diatomaceous earth product has a BET surface area ranging from about 0.5 m 2 /g to about 20 m 2 /g.
6. The product of claim 1 , wherein the diatomaceous earth product has a BET surface area ranging from about 1 m 2 /g to about 5 m 2 /g.
7. The product of claim 1 , wherein particles of the diatomaceous earth product have a size ranging from about 20 US Mesh sieve to about 200 US Mesh sieve.
8. The product of claim 1 , wherein the diatomaceous earth product is one of non-calcined and non-flux-calcined.
9. The product of claim 1 , wherein the diatomaceous earth product has a silica content of at least about 90% by weight.
10. The product of claim 1 , wherein the diatomaceous earth product has a silica specific volume of at least about 3.2.
11. The product of claim 1 , wherein the diatomaceous earth product has a silica specific volume of at least about 3.5.
12. The product of claim 1 , wherein the diatomaceous earth product has a silica specific volume of at least about 4.
13. The product of claim 1 , wherein the diatomaceous earth product has a content of at least 70% by weight, within 120 US Mesh (125 microns) and 140 US Mesh (105 microns) sieve sizes.
14. The product of claim 1 , wherein the diatomaceous earth product has an iron solubility ranging from about 0.5 parts per million to about 15 parts per million.
15. The product of claim 1 , wherein the diatomaceous earth product has a wet density less than about 16 lbs/ft 3 .
16. The product of claim 1 , wherein the diatomaceous earth product has an intricate and porous diatomaceous silica structure.
17. The product of claim 1 , wherein the stoichiometric ratio on an ignited basis for their respective high oxides of alkali metal to combined total of iron and aluminum ranging from 150% to 300%.