Physicochemical studies of quartz sands from western shores of Lake Victoria with special references to applications in glass and related industries

The physicochemical properties of the sands from the western shores of Lake Victoria have been studied so as to reveal their suitability as a raw material in a glass industry. The chemical analysis results have shown that the content of silica in the sands is predominant and is, on the average, above 93.5%: The heavy metals such as Cu and Pb and the colouring metals Fe, Cr and Ti are present in the deposit as trace. This suggests absence of natural metal ore deposit in the area. All the metals show concentration values which are below the maximum permitted in glass industry. On the other hand, the quantity of organic matter, as determined by thermogravimetry analysis, is relatively small and is burnt off at low temperatures before fusion takes place. The particle size distribution of the sands show a close relationship to the recommended size distribution for glass sands as given by the British Standard Institutions. Differential thermal analysis results have shown that the binary mixtures of 85% sand: 15% Na2O gave the lowest fusion temperature of 780°C. This finding is undoubtedly of serious economic significance since it determines the fusibility and hence fuel consumption during fusion. It is thus concluded that the physicochemical properties of the sands from this deposit conform to the requirements of a glass industry.