Research on diatomite from Polish deposits and the possibilities of its use

Diatomite from a deposit in Jawornik Ruski (Poland) has been selected as the material for study. The paper aimeds to show the possibility of using diatomite from the Carpathian Foothills as a sorbent of petroleum substances.Diatomite in the delivery condition (DC) and diatomite after calcination were used for this study. The material was calcined at 600, 650, 750, 850 and 1000°C. The diatomaceous earth was then granulated. The morphology of diatomite was observed using SEM. Particle size distribution was determined by Laser Particle Analyzer, chemical composition was determined by XRF, and mineralogical composition by XRD. Specific surface area, pore volume and pore size were determined. Thermal analysis (TG, DTA) was carried out. Absorption capacity tests were performed and the effect of diatomite addition on water absorption of concrete samples was determined.Within the framework of the study, it was shown that diatomite from the Jawornik deposit could be successfully used as a sorbent for petroleum substances. The absorption capacity of calcined at 1000°C diatomaceous earth was 77%. The obtained result exceeds the effectiveness of previously used absorbents, for which the sorption level is 60-70%. This allows commercial use of diatomite from deposits in Poland. In addition, water absorption tests have shown that diatomaceous earth can successfully replace cement used in concrete productione. The most favourablee effect on the reduction of water absorption is the addition of diatomite in the amount of 10%.The properties of diatomaceous earth from the Jawornik Ruski deposit indicate its high potential for use in the synthesis of geopolymers, which is important not only from an economic but also from an ecological point of view.The novelty of this work is the demonstration of the possibility of using diatomite as a sorbent of petroleum substances with high efficiency, exceeding the previously used sorbents.