Caracterização química estrutural do rejeito de caulim da região do Seridó Paraibano.

Abstract

In the region of Seridó Paraibano industries are located where kaolin is the main raw material. This term is used both for the rock and for the product resulting from processing, it usually contains impurities, which makes the process and consequently its use difficult. In the processing of kaolin in the region, tailings are generated that are objects of characterization study with the purpose of proper disposal. The present work aims at the structural chemical characterization of kaolin waste generated by mining companies in the region of the Pegmatitic Province of Seridó. Tailings samples were collected from two different companies that benefit kaolin in the municipality of Junco do Seridó. After an intense literature review, followed by chemical analysis by FRX, structural characterization using the SEM/EDS, Thermal Analysis TG/DSC, a detailing of the composition of the material was made. Chemical analyzes show that the samples have a basic composition of silicon and aluminum. In the thermogravimetric analysis, it indicates that the analyzed samples have a water content compatible with the theoretical and the MEV/EDS observations demonstrate that there is no increase in the content of potentially radioactive material, which makes the residue of great potential to be used.