Emek Moroydor Derun

Thermal analysis of borogypsum and its effects on the physical properties of Portland cement

Borogypsum, which consists mainly of gypsum crystals, B2O3 and some impurities, is formed during the production of boric acid from colemanite, which is an important borate ore. In this study, the effect of borogypsum and calcined borogypsum on the physical properties of ordinary Portland cement (OPC) has been investigated. The calcination temperature and transformations in the structures of borogypsum and natural gypsum were determined by differential thermal analysis (DTA), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. Thermal experiments were carried out between ambient temperature and 500 °C in an air atmosphere at a heating rate of 10 °C min−1. After calculation of enthalpy and determination of conversion temperatures, borogypsum (5% and 7%), hemihydrate borogypsum (5%) and natural gypsum (5%) were added separately to Portland cement clinker and cements were ground in the laboratory. The final products were tested for chemical analysis, compressive strength, setting time, Le Chatelier expansion and fineness properties according to the European Standard (EN 196). The results show that increasing the borogypsum level in Portland cement from 5% to 7% caused an increase in setting time and a decrease in soundness expansion and compressive strength. The cement prepared with borogypsum (5%) was found to have similar strength properties to those obtained with natural gypsum, whereas a mixture containing 5% of hemihydrate borogypsum was found to develop 25% higher compressive strength than the OPC control mixtures at 28 days. For this reason, utilization of calcined borogypsum in cement applications is expected to give better results than untreated borogypsum. It is concluded that hemihydrate borogypsum could be used as a retarder for Portland cement as an industrial side. This would play an important role in reducing environmental pollution.

Characterization of some boron minerals against neutron shielding and 12 year performance of neutron permeability

In this study, the nuclear radiation permeability properties of various boron minerals are evaluated because of their high neutron absorption and lowest transmission properties. Because of these properties boron minerals can be used at the area of neutron shielding. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses are done for the identification of the minerals, and then their B2O3 contents are determined experimentally. In addition, X-ray florescence (XRF) analyses are made for quantitative determination of calcium, iron, zinc and arsenic contents. The methods of Differential Thermal Analysis, Thermal Gravimetry (TG/DTA) and Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC) are used for obtaining the enthalpy and weight changes with temperature. Additionally, neutron permeability experiments are conducted. From the experimental results, the highest boron oxide content was found in clay containing colemanite. Iron, zinc and arsenic contents were not affecting the neutron shielding. The lowest permeability is provided by the kurnakovite mineral. Also it is observed that all of the minerals show an increase in their permeability in 12 years. It can be stated that boron minerals, specifically kurnakovite, is determined to yield the lowest neutron permeability value and therefore, the use of these materials for neutron shielding would be suitable.

Characterization and Thermal Dehydration Kinetics of Highly Crystalline Mcallisterite, Synthesized at Low Temperatures

The hydrothermal synthesis of a mcallisterite (Mg2(B6O7(OH)6)2·9(H2O)) mineral at low temperatures was characterized. For this purpose, several reaction temperatures (0–70°C) and reaction times (30–240 min) were studied. Synthesized minerals were subjected to X-ray diffraction (XRD), fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), and Raman spectroscopies and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Additionally, experimental analyses of boron trioxide (B2O3) content and reaction yields were performed. Furthermore, thermal gravimetry and differential thermal analysis (TG/DTA) were used for the determination of thermal dehydration kinetics. According to the XRD results, mcallisterite, which has a powder diffraction file (pdf) number of “01-070-1902,” was formed under certain reaction parameters. Pure crystalline mcallisterite had diagnostic FT-IR and Raman vibration peaks and according to the SEM analysis, for the minerals which were synthesized at 60°C and 30 min of reaction time, particle size was between 398.30 and 700.06 nm. Its B2O3 content and reaction yield were 50.80 ± 1.12% and 85.80 ± 0.61%, respectively. Finally, average activation energies (conversion values (α) that were selected between 0.1 and 0.6) were calculated as 100.40 kJ/mol and 98.31 kJ/mol according to Ozawa and Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose (KAS) methods, respectively.

The Synthesis and Physical Properties of Magnesium Borate Mineral of Admontite Synthesized from Sodium Borates

Magnesium borates are significant compounds due to their advanced mechanical and thermal durability properties. This group of minerals can be used in ceramic industry, in detergent industry, and as neutron shielding material, phosphor of thermoluminescence by dint of their extraordinary specialties. In the present study, the synthesis of magnesium borate via hydrothermal method from sodium borates and physical properties of synthesized magnesium borate minerals were investigated. The characterization of the products was carried out by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and Raman spectroscopies, and differential thermal analysis and thermal gravimetry (DTA/TG). The surface morphology was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). B2O3 content was determined through titration. The electrical resistivity/conductivity properties of products were measured by Picoammeter Voltage Source. UV-vis spectrometer was used to investigate optical absorption characteristics of synthesized minerals in the range 200–1000 nm at room temperature. XRD results identified the synthesized borate minerals as admontite [MgO(B2O3)3·7(H2O)] with code number “01-076-0540” and mcallisterite [Mg2(B6O7(OH)6)2·9(H2O)] with code number “01-070-1902.” The FT-IR and Raman spectra of the obtained samples were similar with characteristic magnesium borate bands. The investigation of the SEM images remarked that both nano- and microscale minerals were produced. The reaction yields were between 75.1 and 98.7%.

Effect of Magnesium Borates on the Fire-Retarding Properties of Zinc Borates

Magnesium borate (MB) is a technical ceramic exhibiting high heat resistance, corrosion resistance, great mechanical strength, great insulation properties, lightweightness, high strength, and a high coefficient of elasticity. Zinc borate (ZB) can be used as a multifunctional synergistic additive in addition to flame retardant additives in polymers. In this study, the raw materials of zinc oxide (ZnO), magnesium oxide (MgO), and boric acid (H3BO3) were used in the mole ratio of 1 : 1 : 9, which was obtained from preexperiments. Using the starting materials, hydrothermal synthesis was applied, and characterisation of the products was performed using X-Ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and Raman spectroscopies. The forms of Zn3B6O12·3.5H2O, MgO(B2O3)3·7(H2O), and Mg2(B6O7(OH)6)2·9(H2O) were synthesised successfully. Moreover, the surface morphology was investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the B2O3 content was determined. In addition, the reaction yields were calculated. The results of the B2O3 content analysis were in compliance with the literature values. Examination of the SEM images indicated that the obtained nanoscale minerals had a reaction efficiency ranging between 63–74% for MB and 87–98% for ZB. Finally, the fire-retarding properties of the synthesised pure MBs, pure ZBs, and mixtures of MB and ZB were determined using differential thermal analysis and thermal gravimetry (DTA-TG) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).

Magnesium Borate Synthesis by Microwave Energy: A New Method

Magnesium borates are one of the major groups of boron minerals that have important properties such as high heat and corrosion resistances and high coefficients of elasticity. In this study, magnesium borate minerals are synthesized using boric acid and magnesium oxide with a new method of microwave, and the synthesized minerals are characterized by various analysis techniques. The results show that pure, “magnesium borate hydrate” minerals are obtained at the end of various steps. The characterization of the products is determined with the techniques of X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), Raman Spectroscopy, and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Additionally, overall “magnesium borate hydrate” yields are calculated and found about 67% at 270 W, 8 minutes and 360 W, 3 minutes of reaction times, respectively.

A study on the structural behavior of reduced pyrite ash pellets by XRD and XRF analysis.

In Turkey, pyrite ash is created as waste from the roasting of pyrite ores in the production of sulfuric acid. These processes generate great amounts of pyrite ash waste that creates serious environmental pollution due to the release of acids and toxic substances. Pyrite ash waste can be used in the iron production industry as a raw material because of its high Fe2O3 concentration. The aim of this study was to investigate the reduction behaviour of pyrite ash pellets. The pyrite ashes were reduced to obtain the iron contained in pellets. Pyrite ashes samples were pelletized dried at 105 °C for 24 h and sintered at 1200 °C for 30 min. then reduced in a pressure of 4 atm. under argon gas. The mineralogical transformations that occurred during reduction were analysed by X-ray diffraction and X-ray fluorescence. The X-ray diffraction and X-ray fluorescence measurements of these samples showed that Fe3O 4 was successfully reduced to a metallic iron phase in a laboratory-scale electric arc furnace.

Characterization and Neutron Shielding Behavior of Dehydrated Magnesium Borate Minerals Synthesized via Solid-State Method

Magnesium borates are one of the major groups of boron minerals that have good neutron shielding performance. In this study, dehydrated magnesium borates were synthesized by solid-state method using magnesium oxide (MgO) and boron oxide (B2O3), in order to test their ability of neutron shielding. After synthesizing the dehydrated magnesium borates, characterizations were done by X-ray Diffraction (XRD), fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), Raman spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Also boron oxide (B2O3) contents and reaction yields (%) were calculated. XRD results showed that seven different types of dehydrated magnesium borates were synthesized. 1000°C reaction temperature, 240 minutes of reaction time, and 3 : 2, 1 : 1 mole ratios of products were selected and tested for neutron transmission. Also reaction yields were calculated between 84 and 88% for the 3 : 2 mole ratio products. The neutron transmission experiments revealed that the 3 : 2 mole ratio of MgO to B2O3 neutron transmission results (0.618–0.655) was better than the ratio of 1 : 1 (0.772–0.843).

Effects of calcium hydroxide and calcium chloride addition to bentonite in iron ore pelletization

Pyrite ash is created as waste from the roasting of pyrite ores during the production of sulphuric acid. These processes generate great amounts of pyrite ash waste that is generally land filled. This creates serious environmental pollution due to the release of acids and toxic substances. Pyrite ash waste can be utilized in the iron production industry as a blast furnace feed to process this waste and prevent environmental pollution. The essential parameters affecting the pelletization process of pyrite ash were studied using bentonite as a binder. Experiments were then carried out using bentonite and a mixture of bentonite with calcium hydroxide and calcium chloride in order to make the bentonite more effective. The metallurgical properties of pyrite ash, bentonite, calcium hydroxide, calcium chloride, a mixture of these and sintered pellets were studied using X-ray analysis. The crushing strength tests were carried out to investigate the strength of pyrite ash waste pellets. The results of these analyses showed that pyrite ash can be agglomerated to pellets and used in the iron production industry as a blast furnace feed. The crushing strength of the pellets containing calcium hydroxide and calcium chloride in addition to bentonite was better than the strength of pellets prepared using only bentonite binder.

X-Ray, Thermal, FT- IR and morphological studies of zinc borate in presence of boric acid synthesized by ulexite

Zinc borate (ZB) is an industrially important flame retardant material and ulexide is a plenty mineral in Turkey. ZB has been prepared via an aqueous reaction method using zinc oxide, synthesized boric acid by ulexide and reference zinc borate as seed as initial materials. This route is facile and acceptable for an economic and a new way to produce zinc borate. The products have been characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Thermogravimetric/Differential Thermal Analysis (TG/DTA) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR). Scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to determine the morphological structure. The effects of experimental conditions on the product yield were investigated. Namely, the main factors that affect the formation of zinc borate were H 3 BO 3 /ZnO (boric acid/zinc oxide) ratio, water volume, amount of seed (in terms of boric acid, w/w) and reaction time. In conclusion, it was observed that boric acid by using ulexide mineral and zinc borate were synthesized successfully.