what are the minerals used in refractory industries know them from my slides

1. 1
Minerals Used In RefractoryIndustries
Submitted By:
Jatin Pant
Bsc (Hons.)
Geology 4th Sem
[212038]
Submitted To:
Dr. Priyanka Singh
Resource Person
BBAU, Lko
Department Of Geology, BABASAHEB BHIMRAO
AMBEDKAR UNIVERSITY LUCKNOW

2. WhatAre Refractory Minerals?
Refractory minerals can be defined as minerals or synthetic
inorganic crystal phases are which can withstand:
 High Temperatures
 Sudden Temperature Changes
 Abrasion
 Shock
Refractory minerals also have good resistance to different
chemicals and changing pressures under extreme
conditions.

3. Uses Of Refractory Minerals?
They are used for various purposes, the most important use
being in the linings of furnaces for smelting and refining
metals.
They are also used for lining incinerators, spark plugs for
automobiles, kilns in ceramic industry and in glass and
cement manufacture, for coke ovens/boilers used in gas or
electric plants.

4. Division Of Refractory Minerals
The refractory minerals are divided into three categories,
based on their reaction with various
kinds of slags:

5. Distribution of refractory minerals deposits in India

6. Acid Refractories
Silica
Silica for refractory purposes is derived from Quartzites, sandstones,
vein quartz and sands. Such quartzites are of metamorphic origin,
sandstones and sand of sedimentary derivation and vein quartz from
igneous (hydrothermal) source.
 Uses- Silica is commonly used in furnace arches and crowns due to
their heat resistance. Silica bricks, specifically, are used in various
furnaces, including open hearth furnaces, acid Bessemer
converters, and electric furnaces.
 Indian Distribution- Quartzites are widely found in Dharwar,
Aravalli, Kurnool, Cuddapah, and Vindhyan Supergroups and have
high silica content. Bihar, Jharkhand, Karnataka, and Andhra
Pradesh have major exploitable occurrences of quartzites.

7. Fire Clay
Fire clays are refractory sedimentary clays with low alkali content,
commonly found in Gondwana coal fields. They can be plastic or
non-plastic and consist of kaolinitic and bauxitic materials, along
with free quartz and other impurities.
 Uses- Plastic fire clays are used for manufacturing saggers, glass
pots, crucibles, mortars, and refractory cement, while non-
plastic fire clays contain a high proportion of silica and have a
fusion point above 1600 Celcius.
 Indian Distribution- Jharkhand is the largest producer of fire
clays from the Karanpura and Jharia coal fields. West Bengal
produces from Raniganj coal fields, while Chhattisgarh
contributes from the Korba coal field. Orissa also produces good
quality fire clay from Sambalpur and Denekanal districts.

8. Ball Clays
Ball clays are fine-grained, highly plastic, greyish-white to light
cream colored clays with high bonding capacity and tensile
strength.
They are extracted from sedimentary formations and have similar
chemical composition to kaolin or china clay. Ball clays are difficult
to shape and dewater, and have high shrinkage causing cracks on
the fired wares.
 Uses- These clays are extensively used in bonding furnace sands
and refractory materials.
 Indian Distribution- Ball clays are distributed mainly in states
of Maharastra, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Kerala and Tripura.

9. Sillimanite (Al2SiO5)
Sillimanite is a mineral found in high-grade metamorphic rocks,
appearing as compact radiating masses or fibrous aggregates. It
comes in various colors, ranging from grey to light brown or pale
green, with a vitreous lustre. Its characteristic needle-shaped
crystals distinguish it easily.
 Uses- Sillimanite is used for refractory materials and as a filler
in ceramics, glass, and plastics due to its high temperature
stability.
 Indian Distribution- Sillimanite deposits are widely
distributed in India, particularly in the Precambrian crystalline
complexes in Meghalaya, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar,
Orissa, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

10. Neutral Refractories
 Chromite (FeCr2O4)
Chromite is a mineral used in the manufacture of chrome bricks and allied
refractory products. The high-grade chromite ore has moderate to high Cr2O3 and
Al2O3 content and low Fe2O3 and SiO2 content. Chromite deposits in India occur
mainly in the states of Orissa, Jharkhand, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
 Graphite (C)
Graphite is used in the manufacturing industries due to its inherent qualities such
as high lubricity, refractoriness, good electrical and heat conductivity, and
resistance to reaction with ordinary chemical reagents. Graphite deposits in India
are mainly found in the states of Orissa, Jharkhand, Karnataka and Andhra
Pradesh.
 Asbestos
Asbestos is commercially important due to its fibrous nature and high resistance
to fire. Asbestos has two groups - the serpentine group and the amphibole group.
The best quality chrysotile asbestos is found in Andhra Pradesh while the
amphibole asbestos is widely distributed in Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu
and Karnataka. Asbestos is mixed with magnesite to produce a quality refractory
material.

11. Basic Refractories
Magnesite (MgCO3)
Magnesite is a type of magnesium carbonate that can be found in
ultrabasic igneous rocks as well as dolomitic limestones.
There are three main types of magnesite: cryptocrystalline,
crystalline, and amorphous.
 Uses- It is commonly used in refractories, particularly dead
burnt magnesite, which is calcined at high temperatures and
used to make furnace lining bricks.
 Indian Distribution- The major producers of magnesite in the
country are the states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and
Uttaranchal.

12. Dolomite [CaMg (CO3)2]
Dolomite and calcite are minerals commonly found in rocks,
Dolomite is found in sedimentary carbonate facies and is present in
all geological ages, but economically important deposits are
primarily confined to the Precambrian and Paleozoic eras.
 Uses- Dolomite is used as a basic lining in open hearth furnaces
and in Bessemer converters, Dolomite also finds use in chemical
industry, in manufacture of paper, leather, glass etc.
 Indian Distribution- Dolomite (Dolostone) and dolomitic
marble occur extensively in Rajasthan, Karnataka, Jharkhand &
West Bengal

13. References
 Book Earth processes and resources