DIATOMITE

Range of products

Diatomite is siliceous sedimentary rock, consisting mainly of fossilized remains of diatom skeletons.

Diatoms are microscopic algae that consist of only one cell with a nucleus and a chromatophore, encased in a siliceus shell called frustule. Chemical composition of the fossilized skeleton is chiefly opal with small amounts of alumina, iron, alkaline earths and alkali metals.

Minera José Cholino e Hijos S.A. has high quality diatomite deposites near the town of Ingeniero Jacobacci in the province of Río Negro, Argentine Patagonia, with reserves estimated in 800,000 tons. After undergoing industrial treatment, these diatoms are particularly suitable for use as a filtration aid, additive, and absorbent, due to its high purity and porous structure.

Main uses

Filtration:

Natural grade and calcined diatomite are used as filtration aid for clarifying and purifying a broad range of liquids in processes in chemical, metallurgical, beverage, food, phrmaceutical and oil industries, among others.

Functional Filler:

Diatomite is an important material for filling, extension, coating, etc, for example in paints, shellacs, varnishes, paper, insecticides, plastics, fertilizers, welding electrodes, phosphorus explosives, cleaning and polishing products, insulating materials, etc.

Absorbents:

Its high specific surface and prorosity make it suitable for the absorption of oil, chemical substances, and lubricant spills, and also to turn liquids into dry powders, rendering them easier to handle.

PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Average Chemical Analysis

COMPOUND (g/100g)	VALUE
SIO2	80,7
AL2O3	8,27
Fe2O3	1,5
TiO2	0,3
P2O5	0,01
MnO	0,02
CaO	0,94
MgO	0,5
Na2O	0,02
K2O	0,36
SO3	0,08
PPH @ 1000 ºC	7,3

SPECIFICATIONS

TEST	VALUE
Moisture	10 - 15 %
Color	White
PH	8,2 - 9,2
Bulk density	120 - 250 gr/lt
Oil absorption	100 - 150 ml/100g
Specific weight	2,12

HEAVY METALS IN DIATOMITE

METAL	VALUE
Arsenic total	< 1 mg / Kg
Mercury total	< 0,1 mg / Kg
Lead total	< 1 mg / Kg

Product develpoment:

Our company has built a diatomite processing plant in the town of 25 de Mayo, province of La Pampa, to produce fitration aid; this makes us the only manufacturer of this type of product in the country.

The production process consists of trituration, drying, high efficiency grinding and quality control. Our products are developed and tested by our in-plant and R&D laboratories with the latest technology, to provide our clients with reliable, efficiently produced products.

AUFIDIT FILTER MEDIA

They are produced in different grades, depending on their calcination temperature and particle size:

SPECIFICATIONS FOR AUFIDIT FILTER MEDIA

Grade	Moisture	Retained on 140 mesh	PH	Dry density	Wet density	Permeability D’ARCYS
AUFIDIT 100	< 0,5 %	0 %	8	120	213	0,10 - 0,20
AUFIDIT 250	< 0,5 %	6 %	9,2	170	312	0,3 - 0,45
AUFIDIT 300	< 0,5 %	6 %	9,4	170	322	0,50 - 0,65
AUFIDIT 400	< 0,5 %	10 %	10,5	190	330	0,7 - 0,85
AUFIDIT 500	< 0,5 %	12 %	10,6	190	333	0,9 - 1,1
AUFIDIT 600	< 0,5 %	18 %	10,6	190	336	1,2 - 1,4

Functional fillers

Natural diatomes of very small grain.

Industrial absorbents

Granulated calcined diatomes.