Mineralogical techniques

In order to prepare standard mineral mixtures, pyrite (Py), pyrrhotite (Po), chalcopyrite (Cp), sphalerite (Sp), siderite (Sid), dolomite (Dol), calcite (Cal) and quartz (Qz) were acquired as pure mineral samples through a specialized distributor (Minerobec, Canada). These 8 pure minerals were further cleaned under a binocular microscope and separately crushed to reach 95% under 150pm (typical tailings grain size distribution e.g. Aubertin et al. 2002). Each pure mineral powder was characterized thereafter with a series of chemical and mineralogical techniques. More details can be found in Bouzahzah et al. (2008). The relative density of each mineral specimen were measured with an He pycnometer and are... 

Butcher, A. Benedictus, A. Cropp, A., Gottlieb, P. 2007. Improving Process Efficiencies by Linking Macro-, Meso- and Micro-Features Obtained from Automated Mineralogical Techniques. SME 07, Denver, Colorado, Feb 26-28. 

Wicks, F. J. (1979). Mineralogy, chemistry and crystallography of chrysotile asbestos, pp. 35-78. In R. L. Ledoux, ed. Short Cour. e Mineralogical Techniques of Asbestos Determinations. Min. Assoc. Canada, Toronto, Canada. 

In applying the model, some mineral parameters, such as numbers, n, and mean radii, Rq of various mineral particles may be estimated by mineralogical techniques. For physical properties such as phase equilibrium constants, K, published ternary and binary data may be used on an approximate basis. Kinetic parameters such as reaction rate constants, k, or mass transfer coefficients can be very roughly estimated based on laboratory experiments. Their values may then be varied in a series of computer runs until the results match pilot plant data. A reasonably good match will, at the same time, confirm the remaining variables, rate equations and other assumptions. 

Mineralogical techniques such as X-ray diffraction, differential thermal analysis, Fourier transform infrared analysis, and Mossbauer spectroscopy may be useful for determining modes of occurrence of major elements in coal, but the ability of these techniques to determine the modes of occurrence of the minor- and trace-elements is quite limited. X-ray absorption-fine structure (XAFS) spectroscopy has been used to determine the modes of occurrence of several important minor and trace elements (e.g., arsenic and... 

The minerals found in United States coals continue to be studied with the availability of improved instrumental procedures such as x-ray diffraction, infrared absorption, and scanning electron microscopy beyond the traditional optical and chemical mineralogical techniques as applied to thin sections, polished pellets, and isolated particles. The minerals may be grouped into the silicates (kaolinite, illite montmorillonite, and chlorite), the oxides (quartz, chalcedony, hematite) the sulfides (pyrite, marcasite, and sphalerite) the sulfates (jarosite, gypsum, barite, and numerous iron sulfate minerals) the carbonates (ankerite, calcite, dolomite, and siderite) and numerous accessory minerals (apatite, phosphorite, zircon, rutile, chlorides, nitrates, and trace minerals). 

Standard petrographical and mineralogical techniques, including optical and cathodoluminescence (CL) microscopy. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and electron microprobe analysis (EPMA), were used to characterize detrital and diagenetic minerals and textural relationships. Thin sections were half stained with K-Fe cyanide for rapid identification... 

T.T. Chen and J.E. Dutrizac, Practical Mineralogical Techniques for the Characterization of Hydrometallurgical Products , Process Mineralogy IX. W. Petruk and R.D. Hagni, Eds., The Minerals, Metals and Materials Society, Warrendale, PA, U.S.A., 1990,289-309. 

Berke [14] attempted to confirm the presence of U02(am) in rock samples from the Lower Toki Lignite-bearing Formation using a variety of mineralogical techniques. The selected samples were not from the Tono Uranium Deposit, but they did have U concentrations above background levels. Berke [14] found that U deposition is associated with fine-grained, poorly crystalline matrix minerals, either as poorly crystalline or amorphous U minerals or sorbed onto other non-U phases such as Ti-oxides. A definite conclusion regarding the crystalline or amorphous nature of any U minerals in these samples could not be made due to the poor crystallinity of the matrix. 

Based on the evidence of aluminum and silicium accumulation in P. extenta, we documented the presence of silica minerals in P. extenta electric tissue by means of mineralogical techniques (Prado Figueroa et ah, 2008). It was thought that these compounds could form minerals (i.e., solid inorganic substances with a defined chemical composition and determined crystallography). 

Room-temperature fluorescence (RTF) has been used to determine the emission characteristics of a wide variety of materials relative to the wavelengths of selected Fraunhofer lines in support of the Fraunhofer luminescence detector remote-sensing instrument. RTF techniques are now used in the compilation of excitation-emission-matrix (EEM) fluorescence "signatures" of materials. The spectral data are collected with a Perkin-Elraer MPF-44B Fluorescence Spectrometer interfaced to an Apple 11+ personal computer. EEM fluorescence data can be displayed as 3-D perspective plots, contour plots, or "color-contour" images. The integrated intensity for selected Fraunhofer lines can also be directly extracted from the EEM data rather than being collected with a separate procedure. Fluorescence, chemical, and mineralogical data will be statistically analyzed to determine the probable physical and/or chemical causes of the fluorescence. 

The technique of DDIF provides a quantitative characterization of the complex pore space of the rocks to supplement conventional mineralogy, chemistry and petrology analyses. A combination of DDIF, Hg intrusion, NMR T2 and image analysis has become the new paradigm to characterize porous rocks for petroleum applications [62, 61]. 

Applications The main application fields of PIXE are earth science, air pollution studies (aerosol analysis), mineralogical studies, forensic science, arts and archaeology. In the external-beam PIXE technique, the proton beam is taken out to ambient air. This mode finds application in the analysis of art objects (paintings, books, etc.). 

Bearat, H., M. Fuchs, M. Maggetti, and D. Paunier (eds.) (1997), Roman Wall Paintings Materials, Techniques, Analysis and Conservation, Institute of Mineralogy and Petrography, Fribourg Univ., Fribourg, Switzerland. 

Carbonates, organic matter, Fe and Mn oxides, and clay minerals play important roles in controlling overall reactivity of trace elements in soils and sediments. This chapter addresses the interaction of trace elements with carbonates, organic matter, Fe and Mn oxides and clay minerals. Analytical techniques for trace element speciation in solid-phase and their distribution among various solid-phase components in arid and semi-arid soils are reviewed. Solubilities of trace elements in solid phases and their mineralogical characteristics in arid and semi-arid soils also are discussed. 

The effectiveness of alkali flooding, and, in fact, most reservoir treatments, varies widely from formation to formation in a manner that is often difficult to predict. Quantitative techniques have been applied to model the migration and consumption of alkali as it moves through a reservoir (e.g., Bunge and Radke, 1982 Zabala et al., 1982 Dria et al., 1988). There have been fewer attempts, however, to predict the specific chemical reactions that might occur in a reservoir or the effects of the initial mineralogy of the reservoir and the composition of the flood on those reactions (Bethke et al., 1992). 

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to test portable infrared spectroscopy for non-destructive analysis of ancient construction mortar. Mortar samples from the House of the Vestals, in Pompeii, Italy, were initially examined with traditional analytical techniques, including X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction and thin section analysis. These techniques were used to establish mineralogical and chemical profiles of the samples and to verify the results of experimental field methods. Results showed the lime-based binder was composed of calcite, and the volcanic sand aggregate contained clinopyroxene, plagioclase, sanidine and olivine crystals. 

Many chemical and mineralogical characterization techniques were used to precisely determine the mineralogy of 3 synthetic tailings. Mineralogy based static tests are useful when sample mineralogy is... 

Synchrotron-based p-XRD, p-XRF, and g-XANES techniques allowed us to determine, with gm-spatial resolution, the mineralogical and chemical variations occurring during the alteration of sulfide mineralizations. 

Selection of a flotation technique for gold preconcentration depends very much on the ore mineralogy, gangue composition and gold particle size. There is no universal method for flotation of the gold-bearing minerals, and the process is tailored to the ore characteristics. A specific reagent scheme and flowsheet are required for each ore. 

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