An Study on Preparation and Utilization of Tourmaline from Tailings of an Iron-ore Processing Plant

This paper deals with a systematic research on preparation and utilization of tourmaline from tailings of an iron ore processing plant in Xinjiang, China. Tourmaline has the characteristics of piezoelectricity, thermoelectricity, spontaneous polarization and far-off infrared radiations. Ultra-fine powders of tourmaline have extensive applications in the fields of electrical, chemical and environment protection, as well as health protection. Tourmaline with finer particle size or larger specific surface area will have better industrial performance. After a brief introduction about the applications of tourmaline for functional material, the combined process with gravity separation, ultra-fine dry grinding, and ultra-fine wet grinding is introduced and the preparation technology of ultra-fine tourmaline powder discussed. Using this technology it is possible to produce tourmaline powder with particle size smaller than 100 nm, and a continuous production process can be realized. The final powder product has much superior performance such as high whiteness and large specific surface area, and its negative ions emission can reach the value of 7190 ions per cubic centimeter.