Suitability of Selected Nigeria Clay Deposit for Production of Clay Based Ceramic Water Filters

Abstract

This study is designed to investigate the suitability of selected Nigeria clay deposit for Clay based ceramic water filters (CWFs). Clay samples were collected from five randomly selected locations within Nigeria Namely: Ibafo in Lagos state, Ondo in Ondo state, Ilesha in Osun state, Ajebo in Ogun state and Kumbuso in Kano state to determine their suitability for Clay based ceramic water filters (CWFs). Experimental analysis for Liner shrinkage, water absorption, bulk density, compressive strength X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) were carried out on each of the clay samples. Test results reveals that all the clays were kaolinite in nature, containing high contents of alumina (Al2O3) and silica (SiO2) with minor contents of P2O5, Fe2O3, MgO, K2O, MnO and TiO2. The average crystal sizes of the clay were between 8.96 nm and 19.68 nm, lattice structure indicates that the sample were Monoclinic, Anorthic and Hexagonal. Ceramic water filters (CWFs) were made from a mixture of the various clay samples and sawdust at different volume ratios, and processed into test samples. Water absorption, linear shrinkage, flow rate and compressive strength of the clay based ceramic filters (CWFs) reveals that as the volume ratio of sawdust increases these properties decreases. The research indicated that Lagos clay has highest strength and flow rate and thus lagos and Ogun clay can be recommended for use in Clay based ceramic water filters production.