1、 Form

Diatomite is formed by the deposition of the remains of single celled plants called diatoms. The uniqueness of this diatom is that it can absorb free silicon in water to form the components of its cell wall. When its life is over, it is deposited on the seabed. After a accumulation period of tens of thousands of years, it forms a diatomite deposit under certain geological conditions. Diatom is one of the earliest protozoa on earth, living in seawater or lake water.

2、 Raw ore properties

Diatomite is a kind of siliceous rock. Its main component is silica, which usually accounts for more than 80% and up to 94%. Most of the silica in diatomite is amorphous, and the content of soluble silicic acid in alkali is 50 ~ 80%. Amorphous silica becomes crystalline when heated to 800 ~ 1000 ° C, and the soluble silicic acid in alkali can be reduced to 20 ~ 30%.

The color of natural diatomite is white, grayish white, gray and light grayish brown. It has the properties of fine, loose, light, porous, strong water absorption and permeability. Among them, the high-quality ones have white color and high SiO2 content. The monomer diatom is colorless and transparent. The color of diatomite depends on clay minerals and organic matter. The composition of diatomite from different mineral sources is different.

3、 Physicochemical properties

The density of diatomite is 1.9-2.3g/cm3, the bulk density is 0.34-0.65g/cm3, the specific surface area is 40-65m / g, the pore volume is 0.45-0.98m, the water absorption is 2-4 times of its own volume, and the melting point is 1650c-1750 ℃. Under the electron microscope, we can observe the special porous structure, with multi-level, large and orderly arranged micropores in the shape of disc, needle, cylinder, feather, etc. This microporous structure is the reason why diatomite has characteristic physical and chemical properties.

The chemical composition of diatomite is mainly SiO2, containing a small amount of Al2O3, Fe2O3, Cao, MgO and organic matter. SiO2 is chemically stable and non-toxic. It has strong adsorption capacity. Its pore structure is 5000-6000 times that of activated carbon. It can adsorb and store water and absorb water 1.5-4 times its own weight. It is a poor conductor of heat, electricity and sound.