In this study, an olivine-rich sample obtained as final tailing from a chromite enrichment process was characterized in detail. Within this scope, physical, chemical and mineralogical properties were determined by X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), laser size and thermogravimetric (TG) analyses. According to the XRF results, the sample mainly consists of 50.03% MgO, 38.24% SiO2 and 7.32% Fe2O3, indicating the forsteritic olivine inclusion. As expected from a chromite tailing, the sample also contains 1.59% Cr2O3. The laser size analysis shows that the olivine-rich sample has a size distribution varying in the range of 60-450 μm with a mean size of 186 µm by volume. The BET surface area and density values were determined as 0.036 m2/g and 3.38 g/cm3, respectively. The relatively low density value obtained also specifies high forsterite content of the sample. The XRD analysis conducted shows that the major crystalline inclusions were considered as olivine, lizardite and enstatite. In addition, some spinel minerals such as hercynite and chromite were identified as minor phases. TG analysis indicates that the sample exhibited only 2.38% weight reduction up to 1000 °C. Overall results have suggested that the olivine-rich chromite tailing examined could have a promising utilization potential in the refractory and foundry industry mainly due to its suitable chemical and physical properties.
Anahtar Kelimeler: Olivine, chromite tailing, characterization, utilization potential
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