Showing papers on "Vermiculite published in 2002"

Effect of acid and alkali treatments on surface areas and adsorption energies of selected minerals

Abstract: Bentonite, biotite, illite, kaolin, vermiculite and zeolite were acidified or alkalized with hydrochloric acid or sodium hydroxide at concentrations of 01, 10 and 50 mole dm−3 at room temperature for two weeks In acid treatments, dissolution of Al prevailed over Si and the opposite was observed in alkali treatments The XRD patterns showed severe alteration of the crystal structure after acid treatments, whereas sharpening of the XRD peaks after alkali treatments was observed Illite and kaolin were most resistant to acid attack with a few exceptions, the surface areas of the minerals computed from both water and nitrogen adsorption isotherms increased with acid and alkali treatments with increasing reagent concentration, the nitrogen surface area increased faster than the water surface area well-defined trends were not noted in either changes of average water or nitrogen adsorption energies or in relative amounts of adsorption sites, indicating that the effects of acid and alkali attack are controlled by the individual character of the minerals

Novel Preparation and Properties of Polypropylene−Vermiculite Nanocomposites

Abstract: A novel approach to the preparation of polymer nanocomposites utilizing a low-molecular-weight reactive modifying reagent has been developed in this study. This is the first report on the fabrication of in situ nanocomposites using maleic anhydride as a reactive reagent that acts both as a modifying additive for the polymeric matrix and as a swelling agent for the silicate. Accordingly, polypropylene−vermiculite nanocomposites with an intercalated or exfoliated structure can be achieved by simple melt mixing of maleic anhydride-modified vermiculite with polypropylene. The nanocomposite structure is evidenced by the absence of vermiculite reflections in the X-ray powder diffraction patterns. Tensile tests show that the tensile modulus and strength of the nanocomposites tend to increase dramatically with vermiculite addition. Such enhancement in mechanical properties results from the formation of intercalated and exfoliated vermiculite reinforcement in the composites. Finally, the thermal properties of the ...

Coir as an Alternative to Peat in Media for Tomato Transplant Production

Abstract: Sixteen media prepared from peat, coir, vermiculite, or perlite were used to determine the optimum growing media for tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum Mill.) transplants. Medium composition did not affect tomato seed emergence, although seedling emergence was higher in winter (90%) than summer (85%). Greatest transplant root dry weight, stem diameter, and leaf area were achieved in 50% to 75% peat + 25% to 50% vermiculite in summer. In winter, greatest transplant root dry weight, stem diameter, and leaf area were achieved in eight media: 100% peat, 75% peat + 25% vermiculite, 75% peat + 25% perlite, 50% peat + 50% vermiculite, 50% peat + 50% perlite, 25% peat + 50% coir + 25% vermiculite, 50% peat + 25%coir + 25% vermiculite, and 25% peat +25% coir +25% vermiculite +25% perlite. Transplants grown with >50% coir exhibited reduced plant growth compared to peat-grown transplants, a response that may be associated with high N immobilization by microorganisms and high C:N ratio. Despite transplant growth differences during the summer, fruit yields generally were unaffected by transplant media.

The intercalation of a vermiculite by cationic surfactants and its subsequent swelling with organic solvents.

Abstract: We have measured the dimensions of the interlamellar space following intercalation of a vermiculite by a range of cationic surfactants and followed the subsequent swelling of the organoclay compounds with several organic solvents. A single vermiculite (Eucatex) was used with three series of surfactants, N-alkyltrimethylammonium bromides, N,N′-dialkyldimethylammonium bromides, and the gemini cationic surfactants, α,ω-bis (N-alkyldimethylammonium) alkanes. In all cases well-defined stoichiometric compounds are obtained and the amount of surfactant intercalating the layer indicates that there are two factors controlling this amount, charge neutralization of the clay and hydrophobic packing. Packing arguments are used to deduce the fraction of non-charge-neutralizing material in the interlamellar space. It is clear that by altering the surfactant charge and structure it is possible to control the degree to which adsorption beyond charge neutralization occurs in these complexes, which is important when the capacity of such complexes to sorb other materials is considered. The general pattern of swelling of the surfactant/vermiculite complex by toluene suggests that the maximum expansion of the intralamellar space is limited by the longest chain in the surfactant. In contrast to earlier results we found that these vermiculites could be swollen by alkanes as well as aromatic solvents. This is attributed to the greater hydrophobicity of the interior of an organoclay formed from a clay of higher charge density.

Weathering of chlorite: i. reactions and products in microsystems controlled by the primary mineral

Abstract: The weathering of chlorite in hydrothermally-altered basalt was studied with XRD, TEM and electron microprobe to determine the type and orientation of secondary minerals Optical examination indicated chlorite assemblages to have altered in two distinct microsites: one microsite near micro-fissures traversing the regolith units, and the other away from the continuous passages In this paper, weathering mechanisms and products of chlorite present in microsites distant from the micro-fissures are reported In all the regolith units the original chlorite grain remained intact and was pseudomorphed by secondary products In the saprock, chlorite altered to corrensite with possible random interstratifications of chlorite and corrensite and corrensite and vermiculite In the saprolite, corrensite altered to vermiculite Parallelism of two axes of the products with the host indicated topotactic alteration In the fine saprolite, vermiculite was found to alter to kaolinite via a randomly interstratified kaolinite-vermiculite stage with a high proportion of kaolinite Goethite crystallized in between packets of kaolinite, vermiculite and kaolinite-vermiculite Though the disruption of the crystal structure of vermiculite is necessary in its alteration to kaolinite, the reaction was such as to maintain parallelism of the c axis The alteration of chlorite to vermiculite was characterized by the loss of Mg and Fe and minor Al, all ions considered to be lost from the brucite-like sheet of chlorite The Fe released during the alteration of vermiculite to kaolinite is likely to have migrated to micropores to form goethite The presence of interstratifications of the end-members of layer silicates involved in the reaction sequence suggests that interstratifications are common during layer silicate weathering in environments where space is limited and consequently solution and ionic transport passages are restrictive

Structure and properties of polyamide-6/vermiculite nanocomposites prepared by direct melt compounding

Abstract: Polyamide-6 (PA6)/vermiculite nanocomposites were fabricated through the direct melt compounding of maleic anhydride-modified vermiculite (MAV) with PA6 in a twin-screw extruder followed by injection molding. The structure and morphology of the nanocomposites were determined by X-ray diffraction and scanning and transmission electron microscopy techniques. The results revealed the formation of intercalated and exfoliated vermiculite platelets in the PA6 matrix. Tensile measurement showed that the tensile modulus and strength of the nanocomposites tended to increase with increasing vermiculite content. The thermal properties of the nanocomposites were determined by dynamic mechanical analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetry measurements. The storage modulus of the PA6–MAV nanocomposites increased to almost twice that of the neat PA6. The thermal stability of the nanocomposites increased dramatically, and this was associated with the addition of vermiculite. The effect of the addition of maleic anhydride on the formation of the PA6–vermiculite nanocomposites was examined. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 40: 2860–2870, 2002

Ammonium–Potassium–Calcium Exchange on Vermiculite and Hydroxy‐aluminum Vermiculite

Abstract: Binary and ternary cation-exchange reactions involving NH + 4 , K + , and Ca 2+ on vermiculite and hydroxy-Al interlayered vermiculite (HIV) were investigated. In the case of vermiculite, NH 4 -Ca exchange was nearly indistinguishable from the nonpreference isotherm while HIV exhibited preference for NH + 4 . The presence of K + had significant suppressing impact on the apparent NH + 4 selectivity in NH 4 -Ca exchange in HIV most likely because of retardation of Ca 2+ diffusion in the interlayer. For vermiculite, the presence of K + in the NH 4 -Ca system induced apparent high affinity sites for NH + 4 most likely because of interlayer collapse. The overall study demonstrated that cation-exchange selectivity coefficients in vermiculite and HIV are dependent on number and type of cations present.

Fatal asbestosis 50 years after brief high intensity exposure in a vermiculite expansion plant.

Abstract: The authors report the case of a 65-year-old accountant whose only asbestos exposure was during a summer job 50 years earlier in a California vermiculite expansion plant. Vermiculite is a silicate material that is useful in building and agriculture as a filler and insulating agent. He developed extensive fibrocalcific pleural plaques and end-stage pulmonary fibrosis, with rapidly progressive respiratory failure. Careful occupational and environmental history revealed no other source of asbestos exposure, and the initial clinical diagnosis was idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis; open lung biopsy shortly before his death confirmed asbestosis. Electron microscopic lung fiber burden analysis revealed over 8,000,000 asbestos fibers per gram dry lung, 68% of which were tremolite asbestos. Additional asbestiform fibers of composition not matching any of the standard asbestos varieties were also present at over 5,000,000 fibers per gram dry lung. Comparison analysis of a sample of Libby, Montana, vermiculite showed a similar mix of asbestiform fibers including tremolite asbestos. This case analysis raises several concerns: risks of vermiculite induced disease among former workers of the more than 200 expansion plants throughout the United States; health effects of brief but very high-intensity exposures to asbestos; and possible health effects in end-users of consumer products containing vermiculite.

Flame-resistant insulation

Abstract: Flame-resistant insulation may be prepared by coating a glass fiber substrate, such as a fiberglass board, with an aqueous dispersion of vermiculite and expandable graphite. The insulation may also be pre-coated with a vermiculite dispersion prior to coating with a vermiculite/expandable graphite coating, and the vermiculite/expandable graphite coating may be covered with an FSK facing, or with a gypsum or portland cement layer. The resulting coated insulation board has superior flame resistance, and may be used as a component of a building or in vehicles.

Clay mineralogy of spodosols with high clay contents in the subalpine forests of taiwan

Abstract: Three Ultic Haplorthods with significant illuviation of clay and spodic materials in the subalpine forests located in the Alishan area of central Taiwan were selected to identify the clay mineral compositions by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and to explain the transformation of the clay minerals. The three pedons are dominated by vermiculite and vermiculite-illite interstratified minerals, and they have minor kaolinite, quartz and gibbsite. No hydroxy interlayered vermiculite (HIV) was found in the E horizon of the three pedons because the forest soils are very acidic and have very low Al contents. The presence of HIV in the spodic (Bhs) and argillic horizons (Bt) of the three pedons was associated with greater free Fe and Al contents (Fed and Ald), more favorable pH ranges, and coatings of organo-metallic complexes which prevented continuous weathering. The specific pedogenic process, clay illuviation and podzolization occurred sequentially in the Alishan area, and induced the unusual clay mineral distribution and transformation. The largest amounts of illite are in the C horizon and the amounts of vermiculite increased with decreasing soil depths. A reverse distribution between illite and vermiculite through the soil profile was observed. Illite was transformed to vermiculite due to the strong weathering environment associated with extremely low exchangeable K contents. The weathering sequence of clay minerals of Spodosols with fine textures in the study area is proposed as: illite → vermiculite (or interstratified vermiculite-illite minerals) → HIV and vermiculite.

Formation of Porous Vermiculite Structure in the Course of Swelling

Abstract: The effect of swelling conditions on the vermiculite pore structure was studied by X-ray diffraction analysis, mercury porosimetry, and scanning electron microscopy. The closed porosity of the samples was estimated. A possibility for purposeful modification of vermiculite pore structure by varying the swelling temperature and heating rate was evaluated.

High-temperature heat-insulating materials based on vermiculite

Abstract: The production technology and composition of high-temperature heat-insulating materials based on vermiculite have been developed, as applied to the conditions of the Borovichi Refractory Works. Using these materials makes it possible to lower material consumption in thermal machinery, reduce inefficient heat losses, and decrease by 10 – 15 times the total fuel consumption in continuous furnaces and by more than 45% in batch furnaces.

Experimental weathering of biotite, muscovite and vermiculite a Mössbauer spectroscopy study

Abstract: Biotite, muscovite and vermiculite were treated in HCl and H2SO4 solutions at pH ranging between 7 and 1. The solid residue was studied using Mossbauer spectroscopy at room temperature. The spectra of the untreated samples, D0Bio, D0Mus and DOVer were fitted assuming quadrupole splitting distribution, QSD. Different fitting models with different combinations of Gaussian components for the Fe sites were tested and the models with chi(2) near 1.0+/-0.1237 and with the least number of free parameters were adopted as working models. The models were then used to fit the experimental products of each group. If a model fails to describe a spectrum of a sample in the group then this is taken to signal a significant crystal chemical change induced by weathering. All three minerals are oxidized during weathering and the correlation between oxidation ratio and pH is modeled using a Weibull function. The rate of oxidation in biotite is higher than that in muscovite and vermiculite, The average CS and QS of the Fe sites in a group remain more or less constant during the experiment. However, the position of the peak QS of Fe-[6](2+) in biotite is shifted to low energies with decreasing pH, a measure of the decreasing covalence character of the Fe/Mg-O bonds. In muscovite the major feature observed is the enhancement of the bi-modal distribution of the QSD of Fe-[6](2+) with decreasing pH. (Less)

FAR INFRARED ANALYSIS OF THE STRUCTURAL ENVIRONMENT OF INTERLAYER K+, NH+4, Rb+ AND Cs+ SELECTIVELY RETAINED BY VERMICULITE

Abstract: To get a better understanding of the mechanisms of selective retention of cations by clay minerals, we have studied the physicochemical state and the location of immobilized cations The approach developed is based on the concomitant study of the exchange isotherms and the compensating cations/clay structure interactions, using far infrared (FIR) spectroscopy For that, cations are used as spectroscopic probes to characterize the selective sites Exchanged K, Rb-, K, Cs-, K, NH4- and NH4, Cs-Llano vermiculite samples were prepared The exchange isotherms illustrate the higher selectivity of Llano vermiculite in the following order: K+ < Rb+ < Cs+ Desorption experiments show that a 2 N MgCl2 solution can extract a small fraction of immobilized Cs+ The concomitant analyses of the exchange phenomena at microscopic (X-ray diffraction) and molecular (far and middle IR spectroscopy) levels show that: (1) only ∼65% of the interlamellar hydrated Mg2+ of Llano vermiculite is exchanged; (2) cations are randomly distributed in the interlamellar spaces; and (3) retention is strongly related to the distance between compensating cations and oxygen atoms of the ditrigonal cavity The low hydration energy of selectively retained cations induces strong cation/clay interactions, which give FIR absorption bands of compensating cations The FIR absorption bands of smaller cations shift towards lower wavenumbers when the proportion of the larger cations increases, whereas the wavenumber of the larger ones is constant This reproducible scenario shows that larger cations act as wedges and expand layers, thus increasing the distance between the smaller cations and the layers Calculation of the distances dM-O inner and dM-O outer shows that selectively-retained cations are six-coordinated in these dehydrated systems The decrease of the difference between dM-O outer and dM-O inner from K+ to Cs+ may explain the observed selectivity of Llano vermiculite

Emanation thermal analysis of natural and chemically-modified vermiculite

Abstract: Emanation thermal analysis (ETA), based on radon release measurements from previously labeled samples, was used for the first time in the characterization of the thermal behavior of natural Mg2+-vermiculite (Santa Olalla, Huelva, Spain) and of Na+- and ${\rm{NH}}_4^ + $ -exchanged vermiculite samples In addition, vermiculite samples subjected to a chemical treatment with an aqueous solution of (NH4)2SiF6 and partially or totally re-saturated with Na+ ions were also investigated by ETA The ETA results of natural Mg2+-vermiculite, Na+-vermiculite and ${\rm{NH}}_4^ + $ -vermiculite gave supplementary information about microstructure changes of the samples observed under dynamic heating conditions The method has proved to be very useful for characterization of microstructure changes due to modification in the interlayer space of samples during the heat treatment The crystallization of vermiculite into new phases, such as enstatite (for ${\rm{NH}}_4^ + $ -vermiculite and Mg2+-vermiculite) and forsterite (for Na+-vermiculite) was also observed by ETA

Effect of Na+ and NH 4 + Cations on Microstructure Changes of Natural Vermiculite During Heat Treatment

Abstract: Emanation thermal analysis (ETA), DTA, SEM, and XRD were applied for the characterization of the effect of Na+ and NH 4 + ions used for saturation of natural Mg-vermiculite on the microstructure during heating. The microstructure changes were characterized by ETA under in situ conditions of samples heating in air in the temperature range 20–1300°C. It was found that Na+ and NH 4 + ions have a significant effect on the microstructure changes during heat treatment of the natural Mg-vermiculite sample saturated with these ions. For Mg-vermiculite and Na+ saturated vermiculite thet emperatures of the onset of the collapse of interlaminar space were determined by ETA. Differences in thermal stability of the microstructure of dehydrated vermiculite samples were observed by ETA: the microstructure of dehydrated Mg-vermiculite, and Na-vermiculite was found stable until 650 and 350°C, respectively. For dehydrated NH4-vermiculite the annealing of the microstructure started at 730°C. The onset temperatures of the formation of new crystalline phases were indicated by ETA as the increase of the radon release rate. The onset temperatures of the ordering of the vermiculite structure or sintering under presence of the glassy stage (for Na-vermiculite), respectively, were determined from the decrease of the radon release rate. The ETA results were confirmed by DTA, XRD and SEM.

Reconnaissance study of the geology of U.S. vermiculite deposits: Are asbestos minerals common constituents?

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A far infrared study of K+ ions during K+ ⇋ Ca2+ exchange in vermiculite

Abstract: K + ⇄ Ca 2+ exchange was performed on a mixed-layer (phlogopite-vermiculite) sample from Palabora, Republic of South Africa. Exchange isotherms, X-ray diffraction patterns and far infrared (FIR) spectra of the mineral were obtained. Different mineralogical phases were identified during the exchange process: K-vermiculite, Ca-vermiculite and a regular mixed-layer (V K -V Ca ) phase. Two types of exchange sites for K + were identified by FIR during the exchange process. The first type, dominant in the K-vermiculite, gives an absorption band at 76 cm -1 . The other, which was the most pronounced site in the mixed-layer phase, gives an absorption band at 72 cm -1 . The mixed-layer phase was formed only when oxidation of Fe 2+ resulted in the internal compensation of part of the negative charge of vermiculite. This study shows that the high selectivity displayed by vermiculite for K + is enhanced by the formation of the mixed-layer phase.

In vitro rooting of Pyrodwarf and Cydomalus, two rootstocks for pear, under photoautotrophic conditions

Abstract: During the last five years the Vivai Battistini dott. Giuseppe has increased the production of Pyrodwarf ('Old Home' x 'Bonne Luise D'Avranches') and Cydomalus (Malus communis x Cydonia oblonga) rootstocks. Experiments were carried out to improve "in vitro" root development, by modification of the substrates (agar, vermiculite, peat, pumice + vulcanite in different combination) plus evaluation of various concentrations of sucrose. Pyrodwarf rooting was good and varied little in relation to the different media but there was a lower percentage of rooting with vermiculite + peat. In contrast, Cydomalus gave better rooting with vermiculite + peat. In Cydomalus different concentrations of sucrose affected the number of rooted shoots and 30g/L sucrose stimulated the number of roots. The percentage of rooting and growth of plants was inferior in media without sugar in both rootstocks. Support substances (particularly vermiculite and peat) increased rooting as compared to agar alone.

Mineralogia de um Argissolo Vermelho-Amarelo eutrófico e de um Planossolo Háplico eutrófico solódico numa toposseqüência de gnaisse no Sertão Central do Ceará

Abstract: Morphological, physical, chemical and mineralogical properties, as well as the weathering processes were studied in a Red Yellow Argisol (Aridic Kandiustalf) (well drained) and a Solodic Planosol (Aridic Haplustalf) (partially drained), developed from gnaisses, in a topossequence of the central semiarid region of Ceara State, Brazil. The study had the purpose of investigating the influence of soil locations in the landscape (internal drainage) and on the diversification of soil properties, as well as to study processes of surface transport and deposition on the homogenous parent material. Coarse sand and silt were studied using polarized microscopy and phase contrast, while fine silt and clay were analyzed by X-ray diffraction. Additional information on mineralogical alterations were obtained using a scanning electron microscope. Sand and coarse silt presented large contents of biotite in the Red Yellow Argisol (PVAe) and biotite plus hornblende in the Solodic Planosol (SXen), with a considerable decrease from lower horizons towards the surface. In both soils, quartz and plagioclases were also found within these fractions. Dominant clay minerals of the PVAe were kaolinite and vermiculite in the clay fraction with occurrence of quartz, and kaolinite in the fine silt with variable contents of biotite, plagioclases and quartz. On the other hand, kaolinite and montmorillonite are dominant in the SXen, but quartz and a regular interstratified mineral (vermiculite + mica) were also observed in some horizons. In the fine silt, together with the above-mentioned primary minerals, kaolinite, illite, vermiculite, montmorillonite and the regular interstratified mineral were observed in variable contents for every horizon. The internal drainage of both soils promoted different conditions for the transformations of biotite, hornblende and plagioclases: the first two initially form 2:1 clay minerals, while plagioclases change directly to kaolinite. Clay contents in the argillic horizon in both profiles were essentially a result of weathered primary minerals from the subjacent rock.

Mixture used in the production of molded parts contains vermiculite, phosphate binder, water, highly dispersed metal oxide, clay, and a combination of inorganic silicates

Abstract: Mixture contains (in wt.%) 60-90 vermiculite, 5-20 phosphate binder, 5-20 water, 0-6 highly dispersed metal oxide, 0-10 clay, and 0.5-15 of a combination of inorganic silicates. An Independent claim is also included for a process for the production of a molded part. Preferred Features: The mixture contains 76.0 vermiculite, 9.0 phosphate binder, 9.0 water, 1.0 highly dispersed metal oxide, 1.5 clay, and 3.5 of a combination of inorganic silicates. The phosphate binder is made from aluminum phosphate, magnesium phosphate, sodium aluminum phosphate, boron phosphate, chromium phosphate, phosphoric acid, and/or polyphosphate. The highly dispersed metal oxide is silicic acid, aluminum oxide or zirconium oxide.

Biotitization of vermiculite under hydrothermal condition

Abstract: Hydrothermal experiment was carried out reacting vermiculite with K- and Si-bearing solutions in a Teflon vessel at 150°C for 14, 51, and 71 days to demonstrate biotitization of vermiculite Our results revealed that biotite is formed within 71 days High-resolution transmission microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry showed that biotite is formed by precipitation directly from solution, domain formation in vermiculite, layer-by-layer transformation of vermiculite, or combination of the three Our results clearly indicate that biotitization of vermiculite occurs under hydrothermal condition when K is available Our study suggests that vermiculite formed during weathering is altered progressively to biotite by diagenesis as well as metamorphism after burial

A mineral solution for promoting the growth of plant and its preparation method

Abstract: PURPOSE: Provided is a simple preparation method of mineral solution for promoting growth of plants by reacting zeolite and vermiculite with sulfuric acid without heating. Accordingly, the method is able to extract minerals rapidly in a high yield. CONSTITUTION: The mineral composition contains vermiculite, zeolite, sulfuric acid and water in a weight ratio of 3 : 1 : 1 : 5. The preparation method comprises the steps of: mixing 20-40wt.% of vermiculite and 5-15wt.% of zeolite after crushing and removing impurities; adding 40-60wt.% of water to the mixture of vermiculite and zeolite; stirring the mixture in a rate of 50-70rpm for 1-3hrs., and adding 5-15wt.% of H2SO4 slowly; dehydrating to get a mineral solution(pH0.3-1).

Composition of growing auxiliary material for the reforestation of devastated cut and fill slopes

Abstract: PURPOSE: A composition of vegetation-supporting materials including cotton, paper sludge, zeolite and vermiculite is provided for use in the slope of cut and accumulated soil. The composition improves water storage and prevents the materials from being cracked and flowing off without net. CONSTITUTION: The composition spread out over the slope of cut and accumulated soil comprises 5-30wt.% of cotton, 5-50wt.% of paper sludge, 5-30wt.% of zeolite, 5-30wt.% of vermiculite, 10-60wt.% of humus, 0.5-10wt.% of adhesives and 0.5-20wt.% of chemical fertilizer containing 18% N, 18% P and 18% K.

Selection of Transplanting Soil for Acclimatization of in vitro Cultured Grapevine Plantlets

Abstract: This experiment was carried out to select the optimal transplanting soil mixture for acclimatization of in vitro cultured grapevine plantlets. In vitro cultured grapevine plantlets of ‘Rizamat’ were transplanted onto five soil mixtures. The tested soil mixtures were vermiculite 100%, granulated cotton 100%, vermiculite 70%＋perlite 30%, vermiculite 70%＋peat moss 30%, and vermiculite 50%＋perlite 50%. Survival percentage of transplanted plantlets was high in the plantlets with more than 5 leaves at transplanting time. After 30 days of transplanting, the high survival percentage of plantlet was observed when plantlets were transplanted in granulated cotton 100% and vermiculite 70%＋peat moss 30%. The number of leaves, plant height and the length of root were highest in granulated cotton 100%. The root growth of transplant, in terms of root weight and root number, was best in vermiculite 70%＋peat moss 30%.

A composition of artificial soil for greening

Abstract: PURPOSE: An artificial soil composition comprising vermiculite and decomposed manure as a basic soil composition and other ingredients is provided, which has excellent incline adhesion and erosion resistance, is free from fear of secondary pollution and ensures reproducibility of execution. CONSTITUTION: This soil composition comprises 7 to 30% by weight of vermiculite, 68 to 90% by weight of decomposed manure, 0.5 to 1.0% by weight of polyacrylate, 0.5 to 1.0% by weight of carboxymethylcellulose and 0.2 to 1.0% by weight of a slow-release compound fertilizer. The composition has a hardness of 18 to 24mm after drying and can maintain and supply moisture continuously for 15 days or more.

Water purifier and its prepn

Abstract: The water purifier is compounded with Chinese medicinal stone and/or vermiculite and sulfuric acid or hydrochloric acid. It has an inorganic salt content over 20 % and is one kind of acid liquid of pH 1-2. It has strong oxidizing capacity, and when being used in water and sewage, its rich mineral element ions make water molecules separate fast from the soluble pollutant and the separated pollutant become insoluble matter as precipitate and eliminate bad smell.

Adsorbent for the removal of odor using silerlite and perlite

Abstract: PURPOSE: Provided is an odor adsorbent made by vermiculite and perlite, which has advantages over other adsorbents such as activated carbon and zeolite in that after the odor adsorbent is exhausted, it can be used as moisture controller in composing process, let along its cost competitiveness CONSTITUTION: The process for manufacturing an odor adsorbent includes steps of (i) crushing vermiculite and perlite into a particle size suitable to calcination, followed by sorting; (ii) calcining the vermiculite and perlite particle where resident time in calcination furnace is controlled not to sinter vermiculite and perlite particle; (iii) sieving the calcined vermiculite and perlite particle to select particles with particle size distribution suitable for adsorbent applications; (iv) immersing the selected vermiculite and perlite particles in hydrochloric acid 1N for more than 12 hours, wherein for uniform dispersion of metal salts into vermiculite and perlite particles against surface tension, the internal pressure of an immersing vessel is regulated lower than air pressure by at least 10KPa; and (v) gravity-dewatering vermiculite and perlite particles after acid treatment, followed by drying