Geological Appraisal of the Kaolinitic Clay at Odo-Lewu, Ijebu-Ode/Epe Road, Southwestern Nigeria

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Geological Appraisal of the Kaolinitic Clay at Odo-Lewu, Ijebu-Ode/Epe Road, Southwestern Nigeria

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Abstract

The extensive clay deposit within the sandstone at Odo-lewu is exposed by road cut with no record of previous study on its industrial appraisal. Hence, This study which was carried out with a view to assessing its potential as industrial raw materials. A field study was carried out and representative samples were collected, prepared and subjected to mineralogical analysis using the X- Ray diffraction method while chemical composition was determined using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry. Physical characteristics such as plastic limit, liquid limit, particle size distribution, linear shrinkage, and specific gravity were also determined using standard techniques. Kaolinite was found to be the major clay mineral, with a range of 45.91-78.78%. Other constituents are pyrophyllite (1.21-1.79%) and illite with less than 1%. The non-clay minerals are quartz (17.75-54.05%) and feldspar (2.25 6.60%). The chemical composition shows that the clay deposit consists of: SiO (44.37-70.80%), Al O (17.86 2 2 3 2 3 33.34%), Fe O (1.35-2.79%) and TiO (1.70-2.07%) while MgO, MnO, CaO, K O, P O have values individually 2 2 2 5 less than 1%.The average silica-sesquioxide ratios ranged from 1.23-3.69.The clay sample generally displayed colour ranging from grayish to pinkish gray in fresh pellet to white on firing .The values of physical parameters are linear shrinkage (2.9- 4.3%), plastic limit (31.40-36.00%), liquid limit (42.30- 44.00%), plasticity index (7.8- 11.95%), water absorption capacity (7.26- 8.84%), loss on ignition (9.9%),specific gravity(2.63-2.64) and clay sized fraction above 60%. The clay deposit has high silica content and thus could be utilized in brickproduction, the low fluxes as well as high alumina show its high refractory property and is thus suitable for the iron and steel industry. The average silica-sesquioxide ratio is within the range considered for clay suitable for utilization in the production of good quality cement. The moderate loss on ignition and water absorption capacity indicate that the finished product could withstand cracks and damages on firing and thus could be found useful in the manufacture of sanitary wares. It could also find its use in paper and paint industry as fillers or coating materials due to its fineness. However, based on the general assessment of its characteristics, the quality of the clay deposit can be improved for other uses such as production of burnt bricks with appropriate beneficiation.


Publication Info:

Author: Omitogun, A.A., *Banjo, I.O & *Adeyemi, G.O.

Volume: 50

Issue: September

Published By: Journal of Mining and Geology, 2024-09-01

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