Because of its unique microstructure, diatomite has a wide application value in many fields, such as building materials, chemical industry, agriculture, environmental protection, food, high and new technology and so on. In Japan, 21% of diatomite is used in building materials industry, 11% in refractory materials and 33% in carriers and fillers. At present, Japan has achieved good results in the development and application of diatomite in new building materials.

To sum up, the application of diatomite mainly includes:

(1) Various filter aid materials and catalyst supports were prepared by using its microporous structure. This is one of the main uses of diatomite. It makes full use of the microstructure of diatomite. However, as a filter aid, diatomite rich in Scenedesmus is better, while as a catalyst carrier, diatomite with linear algae structure is better, because linear algae have a very large inner surface.

(2) Prepare thermal insulation refractory. Among the insulation materials below 900 ℃, diatomite insulation refractory brick is the most ideal choice, which is also one of the main application fields of diatomite ore in China.

(3) Diatomite can be used as the main raw material source of active SiO2. Because SiO2 in diatomite is amorphous, it has high reaction activity. For example, it is very ideal to use it to react with calcareous raw materials to prepare silica calcium board fireproof material. Of course, for low-grade diatomite ore, some impurities should be removed.

(4) Antibacterial and anti mildew agents were prepared by using its microporous adsorption characteristics. This is also one of the new important applications of diatomite. It is a functional material with ecological effect. The length of bacilli is generally 1-5um, the diameter of cocci is 0.5-2um, and the pore diameter of diatomite is 0.5um. Therefore, the filter element made of diatomite can remove bacteria. If antibacterial agent and photosensitizer are attached to the diatomite filter element, the sterilization effect will be better, and antibacterial agent can be prepared and added to other materials to achieve the purpose of slow-release and long-term effect. Now, people can use high-tech means to prepare more efficient diatomite anti mildew and antibacterial functional materials with diatomite as carrier.

(5) Diatomite is used to make micro empty glass. It is said that Shanghai silicon Institute has successfully developed in the laboratory, and it is expected to be used as a new molecular sieve material in the future high-tech field.

(6) Diatomite has good adsorption for some toxic and radioactive elements and can be used to treat industrial toxic wastewater and nuclear waste, such as adsorption of Cd2 +, Pb2 +, Hg2 +, 89 Sr2 +, etc.

(7) In agriculture, diatomite can be treated by nutrition, and can also be used as a cushion for crop cultivation, a pesticide carrier and an insecticide in grain storage. Especially in the prevention and control of stored grain pests, diatomite has been successfully applied abroad for a long time, with good effect, non-toxic and harmless to people and low cost. It is a natural insecticide. In fact, as early as 4000 years ago, our ancestors knew that this natural raw material had insect prevention effect. By adding this raw material to the grain reserve, they can keep the grain stored for a long time without deterioration, that is, diatomite itself has insecticidal and antibacterial effects. China has now carried out development and research as a major science and technology project.

In short, with the continuous research and development of diatomite purification and calcination technology, its potential application value will continue to be explored.