Diatomite is a naturally occurring fossilized diatom remains which is also called as diatomaceous earth. However, diatomite belongs to the form of golden brown algae also known as Bacillariophyceae. It is a complete pure sedimentary deposit which is mainly consists of silica. In addition, there are the huge numbers of diatomite deposits around the globe, but high-purity diatomite is rare as compared to other diatomite. High porosity, abrasiveness, high surface area, low density, inertness, brightness, insulating properties, high silica content, and absorptive capacity are some of the properties of the dia

Diatomite is a naturally occurring fossilized diatom remains which is also called as diatomaceous earth. However, diatomite belongs to the form of golden brown algae also known as Bacillariophyceae. It is a complete pure sedimentary deposit which is mainly consists of silica. In addition, there are the huge numbers of diatomite deposits around the globe, but high-purity diatomite is rare as compared to other diatomite. High porosity, abrasiveness, high surface area, low density, inertness, brightness, insulating properties, high silica content, and absorptive capacity are some of the properties of the diatomite that makes it more valuable. On the other hand, diatomite has a huge number of applications and it is used as a component in the various different products. Hence, it is significant to the manufacturing process of the huge number of products. Following are some significant properties of diatomite:

•             Filter Aids

The most significant use of high-quality diatomite is nothing but a filtering media. However, the naturally stirring fossilized diatoms content has the number of distinct filtering properties owing to its exclusive honeycomb construction. In addition, their filtering characteristics are used in wine as well as beer making, motor oil processing, filtering swimming pool water, as well as pharmaceutical manufacturing. Since past many years, the diatomite has been an important pillar of food & beverage processing.

•             Functional Additives

In paints, the diatomite adjusts sheen and glass. It extends primary pigments, enhances coating adhesion, controls permeability, and adds strength as well as bulk. In plastics industries, diatoms can be also used as an anti-blocking segment. Thus, it aids in the partition of plastic elements across manufacturing industries and in the plastics bags parting by the user. 

•             Absorbents

Owing to the number of characteristics as a high surface area as well as porosity it is hugely absorbent and extremely useful in the spills clean-up across the automotive, waste remediation industries, janitorial, and industrial.

•             Soil Amendments

When diatomite is integrated with soil, then is serves to decrease compaction, as well as increases air and water permeation. In addition to this, it also improves plant available water, loosens rigid to work soils, firms soggy soils, offers better drainage, enhances root growth, and helps in nutrient transfer. However, in these uses of golf courses as well as other improved areas, it assists to grip and absorb water and reduces the level of water used.

•             Natural Insecticide

When insects will come across diatomaceous earth, then it absorbs their defensive wax coating as well as their shells will be damaged with the glassy diatoms. In addition, this this integration will cause them to die because of dehydration. Seed coatings, dental fillings, adhesives, matches, roofing compounds, specialty concretes, sealants, and paper are some of the other examples of the diatomite applications.

Working of Diatomite

Diatomite is a powder containing near around 80%-90% of silica. It can be used as insect’s killer by dehydrating insects of drying them out. In addition to this, diatomite allows liquids to flow at the time of capturing unwanted material.

Following are some of the common uses of Diatomite:

The major four uses of diatomite across the US in the year 2017 were 15% of filters, 5% of absorbents, 50% of filtration, and 30% of light aggregate. In addition to this, the number of properties which makes diatomite more useful is listed below:

• High porosity
• Small particle size
• High surface area
• Low specific gravity
• Comparatively inert siliceous composition

Complex framework and small size

A diatomite is a very small in size, but its framework is extremely complex. On the other hand, diatomite is made up of the huge number of silica frameworks along with the massive void space. Thus, the small volume of the open pores offers diatomite an excellent particulate removal as well as holding properties for the process of filtration. In addition to this, diatomite has a very huge surface area for per unit. Following are some other specifications of diatomite which make them highly usable:

• Abrasiveness
• Low density
• Insulating properties
• High brightness
• chemically inert
• Natural silica content
• Absorptive capacity

How Diatomite is good for the environment?

Diatomite is not just offer benefits for us but they are better in terms of environment also. Diatomite has a huge positive effect on the environment in food as well as oxygen supplies. In addition to this, diatomite uses water and carbon dioxide in photosynthesis to transfer the hydrogen and carbon to carbohydrates along with energy absorbed through the sun. However, oxygen is generated as a by-product as well as it is released to the environment.

According to the research, it is anticipated that more than 60% of the oxygen from our environment is derived only from the oceans. However, this oxygen is high owing to the activity of the diatomite. In addition to this, diatomite is a constantly generating, sustainable, and also eliminates high level of carbon dioxide across the world. It has huge number of applications across several sectors.

•             Applications of diatomite in the United States

Diatomite had around four major uses in the year 2017. However, more than 50% of the United States used diatomite as a filtration media. It majorly includes food & beverage production as well as water purification. In addition to this, near around 30% was used for a light aggregate to improve the content of the silica in the cement. Furthermore, 15 % used as an insert filler as well as anti-stick agent across the manufacturing process of asphalt and rubber products. Likewise, around 5% was as the absorbent, majorly in the cleanup and containment of the liquid spills. Less than 1% of the total diatomite applications can be found in other categories.

•             Diatomaceous earth

When the rock which is also called as diatomite is squeezed into the powder then the fine powder is referred as the diatomaceous earth. However, this powdered material is used across the number of industries for application s such as abrasives, manufacturing filler, absorbent, filter media, and other products.