Characterization of Periwinkle Shell from Nembe, Rivers State, Nigeria
Authors: Oyawoye MR, Momoh OR, Sani YM, Akande HF
DOI Info: N/A
ABSTRACT
Periwinkle shell is discarded in the environment after eating its meat. It constitutes environmental challenges such as undesirable sight, odour, breeding points for disease-causing agents especially in the Niger Delta area of Nigeria. Waste recycling has been recognised as an efficient way of tackling this kind of environmental menace. However, insufficient knowledge about the features of the shell may pose an obstacle against significant progress. Therefore, periwinkle shell powder was characterised to ascertain its suitability for the production of quicklime. This was done using the proximate analysis, X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF), X-ray Diffractometry (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) techniques. The results show that raw periwinkle shell is high in calcium - 59% calcium oxide (CaO) and its mineral phase is aragonite. Deproteinization of shell sample has no beneficiation effect on its calcium carbonate (CaCO3) content of the shell. Also, comparing the results to a commercial limestone shows that the shell will be suitable for use in soda ash production, sugar refining, flue gas desulphurization etc.
Affiliations: Department of Chemical Engineering, Kaduna Polytechnic, Kaduna, Nigeria.
Keywords: Waste Recycling, Tympanotonus Fuscatus, Calcium Carbonate, Quicklime, Molluscs
Published date: 2019/12/30
