CHARACTERIZATION OF SILICA SAND DEPOSIT FROM RIVER DADIN-KOWA, NORTH EAST REGION OF NIGERIA FOR FOUNDRY USE

Abstract

This study investigated the chemical characterization and sieve analysis of silica sand deposits at
Dadin-kowa River for foundry use.Analytical techniques such as X – Ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy
(XRF) and Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) coupled with sieve analyses were employed to
characterize silica sand deposit obtained from River Dadin-kowa, Gombe state North East Region of
Nigeria. The results of the analyses revealed that silicon dioxide (SiO₂) forms the predominant metal
oxide in the entire samples with a percentage mean concentration of 94.25, followed by (CaO;
1.955),(Al₂O₃;0.725),(MgO;0.765),(Fe₂O₃;0.325),(MnO;0.06),(PbO;0.085),(TiO₂;0.05),(Na₂O;0.025),(
K₂O;0.08),(P2O5;0.375)Further beneficiation( using acid leaching method) of the silica sand samples
reveal an increased silica (SiO₂) content from 94.25 to 96.350 with a corresponding decreased in
content of Al₂2O₃; 0.725 to 0.012, Fe₂O₃ 0.325 to 0.0530 andP₂O₅;0.375 to 0.353 across samples.
Physico-chemical analysis shows a moderate pH value of 7.83 signifying high basic oxides content in
the silica sand samples. Acid Demand Value (ADV) test reveals the average value of 20.18 ADV in
samples, signifying the presence of low soluble carbonates in the silica sand samples. Grain size
distribution analysis revealed that a high percentage of the samples A & B grains size distribution
fraction are 213 and 215 respectively, these are within the recommended screen sizes150 to 400
microns for foundry use. A correlation between the SiO₂ and other elements in the samples revealed a
direct relationship between SiO₂and the elements found which implies that as the SiO2 increases that of
other elements also increases and vice versa these shows that the silica sand samples from River
Dadin-Kowa can be used as a source of SiO₂ for foundry use.