Clinoptilolite is a precious zeolite mineral that has the most comprehensive physicochemical properties among all the zeolite group minerals. Due to these unique properties, clinoptilolite has a wide range of applications in many different industries. In Poland, the clinoptilolite occurs only as an accompanying mineral in the sedimentary rocks nearby Rzeszów. In Europe, the abundant clinoptilolite-bearing deposits are located in Slovakia and Ukraine, where clinoptilolite mineralization occurs in the volcanic tuffs. Due to clinoptilolite’s rare performance, it is extremely crucial to manage its deposits in a complementary manner. In this paper, the mineralogical and structural characterization of the clinoptilolite powders obtained by mineral processing of the clinoptilolite-rich tuffs from Slovakia and Ukraine deposits were discussed. The scope of research covered determination of the mineral composition of the tuffs, structural analysis of the clinoptilolite crystals, as well as textural and physical properties of the powders obtained by mineral processing of the tuffs. In addition, this paper includes the comparative study of the most significant zeolite deposits in the world and investigated clinoptilolite-rich tuffs. A wide spectrum of methods was used: X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), thermal analysis (DSC, TG), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), optical microscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM-EDS), the laser diffraction technique, and low-temperature nitrogen adsorption/desorption. The test results indicated that the major component of the tuffs is clinoptilolite, which crystallized in the form of very fine-crystalline thin plates. The clinoptilolite mineralization in the Ukrainian and Slovakian tuffs exhibited a strong resemblance to the clinoptilolite crystals in Yemeni and Turkish tuffs. With respect to the mineral composition, the investigated tuffs showed excellent conformity with the Miocene white tuffs from Romania. The Ukrainian and Slovakian tuffs do not reveal the presence of the clay minerals, which is quite common for naturally occurring zeolite-rich rocks in various deposits in the world. The textural features together with mineral composition of the investigated samples incline that they are potentially suitable raw materials for the sorbent of petroleum compounds. Moreover, the obtained results can be useful indicators with respect to the crushing and compaction susceptibility of the Ukrainian and Slovakian clinoptilolite-rich tuffs.
The paper presents a study to determine the applicability of blended cements with low Portland clinker content in construction mortars, including special mortars. The main additives used in the study, in the form of ground granulated blast furnace slag and silica fly ash, were characterised by a similar grain composition of less than 40 μm. They were introduced into mortars as a replacement for Portland cement in amounts of 50 and 70 % and their mixtures in amounts not exceeding 70 %. Tests were carried out to determine the influence of the proportion, as well as the SiO2 and CaO content of the individual main components, on the strength parameters of the designed cements. The results show that these cements can be used in self-compacting concrete technology and in sealing mixtures for geoengineering applications, which are designed to perform soil reinforcement and sealing. The proposed technology for the production of CEM V and CEM VI cements, in addition to the favourable changes in their properties, results in a significant reduction in the energy required to produce these cements.
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