Characterization of Kaolin Residues from the Jarí Valley Reservations Provided by Cadam S/A Company

Abstract

The ceramic industry is one of the most important productive chains of the State of Pará, generating both money and employment. Kaolin has many industrial applications and new uses are constantly surveyed. Although the extraction and processing of kaolin contribute to the economy growth, the activity also provokes serious environmental issues. Being aware of the environmental problem caused by the inadequate decomposition of kaolin residues from the beneficiation process of these minerals, which pollute and attack the environment, this paper aims the chemical, physical and mineralogical characterization of the kaolin residue from the post-treatment disposal provided by CADAM S/A company. The main oxides in the residues were SiO2and Al2O3. In the X-ray diffraction analysis it was verified that the kaolin residue is basically formed by kaolinite and quartz, in the particle size analysis it was observed that the medium size of the particle was of 1,77 μm.