ANALYTICAL STUDY OF THE VARIATION OF PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND STRUCTURAL-PROPERTIES OF A KIESELGUHR DURING ITS DECARBONATION

The physico-chemical properties and the structure/texture of a Kieselg uhr, of Algerian origin, have been investigated in this study by using several analytical techniques (atomic absorption spectroscopy. IR, XR D, gas adsorption, porosimetry and microscopies). The results show tha t the natural product is contaminated heavily by calcium carbonate. Ne vertheless, It presents an interesting porosity. After decarbonation b y HCl acid and thermal (1 000 degrees C) treatments, we obtained the K ieselguhr with pure silica phase and well developed porosity. The trea ted product could be very interesting for filtration and clarification applications.