Syllabus Information

5.1. Methodological overview

The course is part of the module " Applied Geology " and is especially recommended for those Students interested in pursuing industrial applications of rocks and minerals.

To take this course basic knowledge of mineralogy and petrology / petrography are needed.

The main objective of the course is that students acquire a strong background related to the rocks and industrial minerals that allow them to solve problems both scientific and applied to different industrial sectors where these raw materials are used.

In this course, concepts related to the rocks and industrial minerals related to identification, characterization and applications will be discussed. The contents are divided into two modules. Module 1 is dedicated to the study of industrial minerals used as raw materials in several industrial processes. Module 2 is dedicated to the study of industrial rocks used in construction related activities.

5.2. Learning tasks

1. Participatory Lectures (25 hours): focused on understanding and assimilation of the main foundations about industrial minerals and rocks.

2. Laboratory practices (15 hours): identification and characterization of industrial minerals and rocks.

3. Practice with computer support (4 hours)

4. Field trip (6 hours)

5.3. Syllabus

The THEORETICAL PROGRAM is divided into two modules:

I. INDUSTRIAL MINERALS (12.5 hours)

I.1. Refractories and Insulation: Bauxite, Al-Nesosilicates, Magnesite and Asbestos

I.2. Abrasives: Diamond, Corundum, Silica and Garnet.

I.3. Chemical industries: Sulphates, Carbonates, Halite, Borates,  Silica sands, Feldspars and Fluorspar

I.4. Fertilizers: Nitrates, Phosphates, Potassium Salts

I.5. Filters:  Zeolites and  Diatomite

I.6. Non ceramic  Clays:  Bentonite, Sepiolite, Palygorskite, Talc andKaolinite

I.7. Electronic and Optical materials: Muscovite, Quartz, Beryl and Gold.

II: INDUSTRIAL ROCKS (12.5 hours)

II.1. Introduction and European regulations of the sector.

II.2. Physical properties of rocks. porous system. mechanical, thermal and aesthetic properties.

II.3. Durability and quality of building rocks.

II.4. Aggregates. Types and properties.

II.5. Cement, lime and gypsum.

II.6. Rocks for the ceramic industry.

The PRACTICAL PROGRAM is divided into two modules

I. INDUSTRIAL MINERALS (9.5 hours)

I.1:Laboratory practices (5.5 hours): Identification of industrial minerals by “visu” and XRD and completion of a report which will detail the methodology used, the results obtained and possible applications of the samples studied.

I.2 Computer practices(4 hours): planning and dimensioning of geological deposits using specific software.

II. INDUSTRIAL ROCKS (9.5 hours)

Hidric Laboratory test in constructive rocks

Intrinsic characterization of the rock. Correlation between the texture of the rock and its technological properties. Characterization tests, behavior and quality of the rocks. Correlation between technical petrographic and laboratory tests. It is assessed by means of a placement report on the methodology used and results obtained are detailed.

FIELD TRIPS (6 hours): Two field trips will be done.  The first one, we will visiting an industrial minerals deposits and the processing plant. The second one we will visiting a quarry of ornamental rocks and the processing plant

5.4. Course planning and calendar

The lectures take place in classrooms and times indicated on the website of the Faculty of Sciences.

The practical sessions are conducted in the laboratories of Crystallography and Mineralogy Area and Petrology and Geochemistry Area of the Earth Sciences Department.

5.5. Bibliography and recommended resources