Use of digital image analysis combined with fractal theory to determine particle morphology and surface texture of quartz sands

The particle morphology and surface texture play a major role in influencing mechanical and hydraulic behaviors of sandy soils. This paper presents the use of digital image analysis combined with fractal theory as a tool to quantify the particle morphology and surface texture of two types of quartz sands widely used in the region of Vitória, Espírito Santo, southeast of Brazil. The two investigated sands are sampled from different locations. The purpose of this paper is to present a simple, straightforward,reliable and reproducible methodology that can identify representative sandy soil texture parameters.The test results of the soil samples of the two sands separated by sieving into six size fractions are presented and discussed. The main advantages of the adopted methodology are its simplicity, reliability of the results, and relatively low cost. The results show that sands from the coastal spit(BS) have a greater degree of roundness and a smoother surface texture than river sands(RS). The values obtained in the test are statistically analyzed, and again it is confirmed that the BS sand has a slightly greater degree of sphericity than that of the RS sand. Moreover, the RS sand with rough surface texture has larger specific surface area values than the similar BS sand, which agree with the obtained roughness fractal dimensions. The consistent experimental results demonstrate that image analysis combined with fractal theory is an accurate and efficient method to quantify the differences in particle morphology and surface texture of quartz sands.

A Study of the Adsorption of Molecular Deposition Filming Flooding Agent MD-1 on Quartz Sand

Molecular deposition filming flooding (MDFF) is a novel oil recovery technique based on the thermopositive monolayer electrostatic adsorption of the MDFF agent on different interfaces within reservoir systems. In this paper, the adsorption property of the MDFF agent, MD-1, on quartz sand has been studied through adsorption experiments at different pH and temperatures. Experimental data are also analyzed kinetically and thermodynamically. The results show that the adsorption of MD-1 on quartz sand takes place mainly because of electrostatic interactions, which corresponds to adsorption that increases with pH. Kinetic analyses show that at a higher pH the activation energy for adsorption gets lower and, therefore, the adsorption becomes quicker for MD-1 on quartz sand. Thermodynamic analyses show that pH plays an important role in the adsorption of MD-1 on quartz sand. At a higher pH, more negative surface charges result in the increase of electrostatic interactions between MD-1 and quartz sand. Therefore, the saturated adsorption amount increases and more adsorption heat will be released.

S. E. M. analysis of quartz sand grains from selected Hong Kong and Chinese littoral environments

This pilot study attempts to demonstrate some underlying scanning electron microscopy themes of quartz grain surface textures. A variety of textural patterns and individual features are described for grains selected from various littoral environments. An attempt was made to differentiate samples on surface textures alone, but limitations of using this technique in sedimentological isolation were apparent. Statistical analysis of checklist data and photographic evidence revealed some of the more important feature combinations used in environmental diagnosis. The use of discriminant analysis provided quantitative sample separation.

Thermal and mechanical properties of bio-cemented quartz sand mixed with steel slag

The aim of this study is to disclose the feasibility of improving the thermal conductivity and mechanical strength of quartz sand steel slag mixtures treated by enzyme-induced carbonate precipitation(EICP).In this work,the effects of steel slag content(SSC)and number of treatment cycle(N)on the thermal conductivity and mechanical strength of EICP-treated specimens were investigated.The immersion method was adopted for specimen preparation.The thermal conductivity was measured by transient plane source method(TPS)and the unconfined compressive strength(UCS)was obtained through a uniaxial compression test.Moreover,the SEM test was conducted to obtain the morphology and deposition characteristics of calcium carbonate crystals.The result shows that the thermal conductivity and UCS of EICP-treated sands increase before decreasing as the SSC increases.Consequently,the maximum values of thermal conductivity and UCS are 1.28 W/(m⊡K)and 6.31 MPa,respectively,corresponding to the optimal parameter of 20%SSC at 12 N.The optimal thermal conductivity and UCS increase by 367%and 137%,respectively,compared to that of EICP-treated sand with no addition of steel slag.The SEM analysis indicates that the spherical calcium carbonate exists in the range of 0-20%SSC,whereas there is mainly amorphous calcium carbonate when the SSC varies from 40%to 80%.It also demonstrates that the UCS is more sensitive to the variation of calcium carbonate content than that of thermal conductivity.

Adsorption and Transport of Ciprofloxacin in Quartz Sand at Different pH and Ionic Strength

Effects of pH and ionic strength on ciprofloxacin adsorption in quartz sand were studied through a batch equilibrium adsorption experiment in this paper. The experimental data were fitted by empirical formulas from Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isothermal curves, and the transport experiments in quartz sand at different pH and ionic strength were conducted to investigate the transport characteristics of ciprofloxacin. It was found that with the increase of pH value or ionic strength, adsorption capacity of ciprofloxacin decreased, so that it could move easier. The results indicated that low pH or ionic strength was conductive to the adsorption of ciprofloxacin in quartz sand. Meanwhile, a higher initial concentration or stronger ionic strength could result in a smaller linear distribution coefficient of ciprofloxacin, which meant a low adsorption capacity. According to the fitting results, the adsorption of ciprofloxacin in quartz sand could be described well by both Langmuir and Freundlich equations, of which Freundlich equation had a better efficacy.

Double Acid-Base Extraction of Silicic Acid from Quartz Sand

Silica is becoming more attractive as plant nutrient for non-graminae crops particularly in relation with drought-stress tolerant. Many efforts have been conducted to obtain an efficient technique to produce silica fertilizer worldwide, but the results are varying considerably due to various factors including raw material and extraction technique. This study was carried out to develop an efficient extraction technique for ortho-silicic acid (OSA-H4SiO4) from a Bangka-Belitung quartz sand by employing acid-base dissolution method. A 325-mesh size quartz sand was boiled in HCl solution at various concentrations. The optimum concentration was then used in the following experiment at several different volumes of solution. The sand obtained from optimum concentration and volume of HCl solution was then reacted with different amounts of NaOH (s), and heated until a wet mixture was obtained. As a reference the best extraction conditions were applied to a natural zeolite sample. All OSA analyses were done in triplicates with spectrophotometric method. Supporting evidences were collected from x-ray diffraction and scanning-electron-microscopy analyses of the treated samples. The yield of quartz sand-originated OSA was 183 g·kg-1 and significantly increased linearly with increasing weight of NaOH (R2 = 0.99**), whereas that from zeolite was only 104.2 g·kg-1 at 80 g NaOH. XRD and SEM data confirmed the evidences that the acid-base extraction disrupted the quartz mineral structure and as a consequence releasing more water soluble OSA.

Removal from Water and Adsorption onto Natural Quartz Sand of Hydroquinone

Hydroquinone (HQ) is the most important hydroxy aromatic compound which is produced on a large scale. Understanding its fate in the environment is therefore of primary importance to prevent its migration in the soil and/or the contamination of the aquatic ecosystems. Here we present a column based method to investigate the physicochemical processes controlling the removal from the aqueous phase and the adsorption onto natural quartz sand (NQS), of organic pollutant such as HQ molecules. We will focus on the interactions that occur between the organic pollutant and the NQS substrate. Thus, column reactors filled with NQS were used to investigate the influence of physicochemical parameters such as the ionic strength, the pH, the flow rate, and the nature of the electrolyte cation, on the HQ adsorption from water onto NQS substrate. The data indicate that, when divalent instead of monovalent cations, are present in the effluent water injection phase, and/or when the ionic strength of the effluent increases, the adsorbed HQ amount decreases. Similar decrease of the adsorbed HQ amount was also observed, at constant ionic strength, by increasing either, the pH from 3 to 9, the flow rate Q from 1 to 3 ml·mn-1, or by decreasing the HQ initial concentration, C0 from 30 to 6 mg·L-1. Further, large amount of the organic pollutant (up to 93 wt% of HQ molecules) was removed from the effluent water phase by using NQS column. The overall data seem to indicate that the adsorption of HQ molecules on the NQS surface is mainly controlled by electrostatic interaction forces occurring between the organic molecule polar groups and the inorganic matrix silanol groups.

Comparison of quartz sand, anthracite, shale and biological ceramsite for adsorptive removal of phosphorus from aqueous solution

The choice of substrates with high phosphorus adsorption capacity is vital for sustainable phosphorus removal from waste water in constructed wetlands. In this study, four substrates were used： quartz sand, anthracite, shale and biological ceramsite. These substrate samples were characterized by X- ray diffractometry and scanning electron microscopy studies for their mineral components （chemical components） and surface characteristics. The dynamic experimental results revealed the following ranking order for total phosphorus （TP） removal efficiency： anthracite 〉 biological ceramsite 〉 shale 〉 quartz sand. The adsorptive removal capacities for TP using anthracite, biological ceramsite, shale and quartz sand were 85.87, 81.44, 59.65, and 55.98 mg/kg, respectively. Phosphorus desorption was also studied to analyze the substrates＇ adsorption efficiency in wastewater treatment as well as the substrates＇ ability to be reused for treatment. It was noted that the removal performance for the different forms of phosphorus was dependent on the nature of the substrate and the adsorption mechanism. A comparative analysis showed that the removal of particulate phosphorus was much easier using shale. Whereas anthracite had the highest soluble reactive phosphorus （SRP） adsorptive capacity, biological ceramsite had the highest dissolved organic phosphorus （DOP） removal capacity. Phosphorus removal by shale and biological ceramsite was mainly through chemical adsorption, precipitation or biological adsorption. On the other hand, phosphorus removal through physical adsorption （electrostatic attraction or ion exchange） was dominant in anthracite and quartz sand.

Experimental investigation in the permeability of methane hydratebearing fine quartz sands

The permeability is one of the intrinsic parameters that determines the fluid flow in the porous media.The permeability in hydrate-bearing sediments affects the gas recovery and production of hydrate reservoirs significantly.The irregular permeability characteristics are challenging for fine-grained hydratebearing sediments.In this study,a series of experiments was conducted using an one-dimensional pressure vessel to investigate the hydrate formation characteristics and the permeability in hydratebearing fine quartz sands(volume weighted mean diameter was 36.695 mm).Hydrate saturations(0 e26%in volume)were controlled and calculated precisely based on the amount of injected water and gas,the system pressure and temperature.The results indicated that the hydrate nucleation induction period was completed during gas injection,and the average time of hydrate formation was within 500 min.The permeability of methane hydrate-bearing fine quartz sands was investigated by steady gas volume flow.For hydrate saturation lower than 13.94%,the hydrate mostly formed in grain-coating,the permeability reduction exponent calculated by Parallel Capillary,Kozeny Grain Coats and Simple Cubic Filling models were 2.00,2.10 and 1.74 respectively,and Simple Cubic Filling model was in accordance with the experimental data best.However,for hydrate saturation ranged from 13.94%to 25.91%,the permeability increased due to the flocculation structure formation of fine quartz sands and hydrate,which caused the increase of effective porosity.A new relationship among hydrate saturations,effective porosity,the ratio of permeability in the presence and the absence of hydrate was developed.This study developed the mathematical models for predicting the permeability with hydrate saturation in fine quartz sands,which could be valuable for understanding the characteristics of hydrate-bearing finegrained sediments.

Sliding friction of shale rock on dry quartz sand particles

The sliding friction of rock, involving all kinds of particles at the contact surface, is relevant to many problems, ranging from those in artificial engineering to earthquake dynamics. In this work, the frictional performance of the shale rock–dry quartz sand contact was investigated using a self-developed testing device. The study showed that the coefficient of friction of the contact increases with nominal stress and that the corresponding friction force increases approximately linearly with nominal stress, which is directly related to the contact stress between each single sand particle and rock shale. An overall dynamic coefficient, γ, reflecting the response of friction force to nominal stress, first decreases and then increases with area ratio, which is determined by not only the contact stress but also the interparticle friction force. These have important repercussions for a preliminary understanding of the frictional properties of the shale rock–dry quartz sand contact in hydraulic fracturing and related industrial applications.

Allyl Glycidyl Ether-modified Animal Glue Binder for Improved Water Resistance and Bonding Strength in Sand Casting

This paper aims to develop a modified animal glue sand binder for foundry casting with improved water resistance and bonding strength.An efficient method is reported by using sodium hydroxide as the catalyst to improve the operability of animal glue binder and allyl glycidyl ether as the modifier to improve the water resistance and bonding strength.Sand specimens prepared using allyl glycidyl ether-modified animal glue binder were cured by compressed air at room temperature.The proposed method saves energy and is environmentally friendly and inexpensive.Compared with unmodified animal glue binder,standard dog bone sand specimens with allyl glycidyl ether-modified animal glue binder had higher tensile strength of 2.58 MPa,flowability of 1.95 g,better water resistance(a lower decrease in tensile strength at 25°C and relative humidity of 60%),and good collapsibility.This allyl glycidyl ether-modified animal glue binder is suitable for practical application in the foundry industry.

Mineralogical Characterization of Aeolian Sands from Inner Mongolia, China

Aeolian sand sample from Tengger desert, located in the southern part of Inner Mongolia (China) was characterized for major elemental composition and mineralogy by EPMA, XRF and XRD methods. The objective of this research was to provide data which would be a guide to aid future beneficiation of this sand, especially for the economic exploitation of feldspar and quartz which have a wide range of applications in various industries like plastic, paint, ceramics and glass industries. The elemental analysis of the sample was carried out by X-ray fluorescence spectrometer and chemical analysis while the minerals present were identified by an X-ray diffraction analyzer. The sand was discovered to contain basically SiO2 (82.43%), Al2O3 (7.68%), Na2O + K2O (4.37%) and TiO2 and Fe2O3 as the main impurities. It was also discovered that grinding of the sand is required to enhance the liberation of the minerals and the separation methods recommended are magnetic separation and flotation. It was therefore concluded that aeolian sand is a suitable source of quartz and feldspar for use in the industry.

β-FeOOH/SiO_(2)复合非均相Fenton催化剂制备及对甲基橙溶液的降解

采用简单、环保的方法合成β-FeOOH/SiO_(2)复合非均相Fenton催化剂,采用红外光谱仪(FT-IR)、X射线衍射仪(XRD)、X射线光电子能谱仪(XPS)、透射电子显微镜(TEM)对催化剂进行表征分析,考察质量比、合成温度和合成时间对催化剂催化活性的影响,通过分析催化剂类型、用量及双氧水用量,探究β-FeOOH/SiO_(2)复合催化剂处理染料废水的最佳工艺条件。结果表明:β-FeOOH/SiO_(2)复合催化剂制备工艺简单,操作条件温和,易于工业化生产;β-FeOOH/SiO_(2)复合催化剂在满足m(β-FeOOH)/m(SiO_(2))=1∶1,反应温度为90℃,反应时间为8 h时,具有最佳的催化活性;在30℃条件下,β-FeOOH/SiO_(2)的加入量为5 g/L,过氧化氢的加入量为0.1 L/L时,200 mg/L甲基橙染料废水的去除率最大,达到98.85%,对亚甲基蓝和罗丹明B的去除率分别达到90.44%和99.25%;β-FeOOH/SiO_(2)复合催化剂对染料废水具有良好的降解效果。

Activation of Quartz Grain Surface with Chloride Ions

Alteration of technological and optical states of glass activated with chloride ions, entered to the surface of quartz sand and quartz grain by way of sodium chloride was investigated in the article. Concentration optimum of activating agent was determined.

Stoneware Ceramic Synthesis with Iron Sand as a Filler Material

In an effort to explore the use of natural resources, stoneware ceramics have been made using iron sand as a filler to replace quartz Kalimantan. The results showed that iron sand can be well used in making stoneware ceramics. This is shown by the measurement of water absorption which is less than 5% and has compressive strength slightly smaller compared to stoneware ceramics made with quartz as a filler.

西山煤田煤层气井水力压裂效果剖析及启示

水力压裂是改善煤层渗透率的常用方法,其改造效果直接影响煤层气井的产能。详细观测了西山煤田屯兰区块5口煤层气井的井下揭露煤层及裂隙展布情况,并联合体视镜、扫描电镜和显微CT等研究煤体结构、微裂隙、石英砂和煤粉的分布特征,结合区域地应力和水力压裂施工参数,剖析煤层气井的压裂效果。研究结果表明:水力压裂产生的宏观裂隙形态复杂多样,包含水平型、垂直型、X型和T型。距离煤层气井筒越近,煤体越破碎,以碎裂煤和碎粒煤为主,水力压裂裂隙发育,远离煤层气井筒的煤体主要是原生结构煤,以原生裂隙为主。石英砂主要铺置在水平裂隙内,仅有少量分布在T型裂隙内。石英砂与煤的裂隙面强烈摩擦、碰撞和嵌入,与压裂液破裂煤体叠加形成大量煤粉,造成煤粉裹挟石英砂堵塞裂隙。宏观裂隙内的煤粉主要受水力压裂时煤体破裂、压裂液冲刷煤体及石英砂与裂隙面摩擦而产生,微观裂隙内的煤粉在煤体破断时产生。煤粉与石英砂混合堆积在裂隙内,对携砂液产生巨大阻力,造成石英砂无法向煤层气井的远端运移。地应力的大小和方向、煤层及顶底板的强度是影响水力压裂裂隙张开与延展方向的重要因素,携砂液黏度低无法悬浮石英砂,容易造成石英砂与煤粉聚集堵塞裂隙。

砂颗粒矿物成分对MICP过程的影响及机理

微生物诱导碳酸钙沉淀(MICP)是一种绿色环保的新型土体加固技术,具有广泛的应用前景。为了研究砂颗粒矿物成分对MICP过程的影响,分别选用石英砂和钙质砂为代表性研究对象,利用环氧树脂胶结固化后打磨制成样片,再在配置好的菌液和胶结液中对样片表面进行MICP处理,结合X射线衍射(XRD)、扫描电镜(SEM)以及超声震荡试验定量分析了碳酸钙产量、矿物晶型、晶貌及界面胶结特性。结果表明:(1)钙质砂颗粒比石英砂颗粒更利于微生物诱导生成碳酸钙,平均单位面积碳酸钙生成量前者约为后者的5倍;(2)两种砂颗粒表面生成的碳酸钙主要为球霰石和方解石,钙质砂界面能更低,诱导生成更多的方解石;(3)石英砂表面生成的碳酸钙主要为较大的球形颗粒,而钙质砂表面的碳酸钙形貌主要为板片状;(4)微生物在钙质砂颗粒上诱导生成的碳酸钙呈现更高的界面胶结强度,经超声波震荡后,石英砂颗粒上碳酸钙的质量损失率约为钙质砂的10倍。在此基础上,运用微生物学、晶体化学、结晶矿物学等其他相关学科的理论,系统分析了石英砂和钙质砂对MICP过程及效果的影响机理,取得了新的认识,对优化MICP技术在岩土工程中的应用有重要意义。

石英砂微波加热模型及仿真研究

鉴于高档石英材料需求的攀升及水晶资源的日益枯竭,探索出利用含杂质稍多的脉石英硅矿石通过精制工艺制备高纯石英砂的新途径。构建微波加热石英砂的数学模型,理论分析微波辐射作用下石英砂的升温规律,明确微波加热技术剔除气液包裹体时温度与微波功率、时间等关键因素之间的相互关系。结果显示,石英砂的升温速率与微波功率及介电耗损角正切呈正相关关系,而与保温桶的导热系数呈负相关。同时,料层高度及坩埚内径的变化也会引发微波热源分布的偏差,进而导致温度变化的无规律性。

一步水热改性石英砂支撑剂及性能研究

为提高石英砂在压裂液中的分散稳定性,采用十六烷基三甲基氯化铵(CTAC)对传统石英砂表面进行改性。结果表明,CTAC质量分数为0.6%,在80℃中性条件下与石英砂反应120 min,可以使石英砂的沉降速度降低44.85%。改性前后石英砂与水的接触角由28.233°增至87.853°,表明石英砂表面的疏水性有大幅度改善,石英砂颗粒与水分子之间的排斥力增大。表面自由能由83.342 mJ/m^(2)降至22.379 mJ/m^(2),表面自由能降低使系统更加稳定,从能量的角度解释了改性后石英砂沉降速度降低的原因。改性后石英砂的zeta电位是改性前的2倍,石英砂颗粒之间的静电斥力明显增大,从而使颗粒之间不容易聚沉,体系更加稳定。