Open AccessAn ultrasonic method for isolating nonclay components from clay‐rich material
Author(s) -
Hoke Gregory D.,
Schmitz Mark D.,
Bowring Samuel A
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
geochemistry, geophysics, geosystems
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.928
H-Index - 136
ISSN - 1525-2027
DOI - 10.1002/2013gc005125
Subject(s) - geology , clay minerals , heavy mineral , mineralogy , settling , grain size , ultrasonic sensor , decantation , mineral , materials science , sediment , environmental science , metallurgy , geomorphology , chemistry , acoustics , physics , chromatography , environmental engineering
We present an efficient method for high‐volume heavy mineral separation from clay‐rich rocks using an ultrasonic probe. The ultrasonic clay separator (UCS) is an easily constructed device that allows for the recovery of high‐density minerals, as small as 10 µm, with a minimum of sample preparation. Heavy mineral recovery from clay‐rich material with the UCS yields a greater number of small (<100 µm) grains and approximately double the amount of material from that of gravity settling and decanting. Despite development with heavy mineral recovery in mind, the UCS should suitable for recovering small grain size geologic materials from flocculating clay‐rich material.