PERLITE: MINERAL AND EXPANSION PROCESS

The mining of perlite ore takes place in open-pit mines located in volcanic areas in different regions of the world. The ore is milled and sifted in different sizes so that it can be transformed later.

The processed ore is calcined at 1000°C which causes the water molecules inside to evaporate, exploding and expanding up to 20 times its original volume, producing the expanded perlite.

The expanded perlite is a white granular material that is extremely lightweight, the new structure gives it remarkable thermo-acoustic qualities. The countless micropores of dry air in the new structure makes the material behave as a very efficient natural insulator.

The expanded perlite retains the original qualities of the natural mineral, it is chemically neutral, inert to atmospheric agents and the passage of time, non-combustible, non-toxic, insoluble and non-hygroscopic. That makes the perlite as an efficient natural insulation for the construction industry and agriculture.

Application

• Cryogenics: expanded perlite is an excellent insulator for low or very low temperature cryogenic systems. It is widely used in LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) isolation tanks, noble gas tanks, oxygen, nitrogen, argon etc. in cryogenic state.
• Mortars and refractory elements: perlite is used as an ingredient in low to medium temperature refractory elements (up to 850°C) and it is used to build and/or coat ovens, furnaces, etc., and as a bonding material for joining refractory pieces.
• Isolation: passive fire protection. The manufacturing of mortars, plates and various accessories. Ceramic furnaces.
• Filtration: one of the most common uses of expanded perlite is as a filtering agent. The expanded and processed ore is chemically inert, and does not transfer taste, colour or odour to the filtrate. There is a wide range of perlite filters for various products such as beer, wine, water, oils, chemicals etc.
• Fire protection system petrochemical industry.