Effect of feldspar milling on the properties of low-density ceramic proppants

ABSTRACT

Low-density and high-strength ceramic proppants were successfully prepared from bauxite and feldspar. The addition of feldspar greatly reduced the sintering temperature (below 1300℃). The effects of the particle size of feldspar on the bulk density, apparent density and breakage ratio of the proppants were evaluated. The morphology and phase composition of the proppants was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results show that the ball milling of feldspar can greatly improve the properties of ceramic proppants. The phases of the proppants obtained contain mullite and corundum. Bulk density, apparent density, and breakage resistance of the proppants sintered at 1280℃ increase with the prolongation of ball milling time of feldspar. When the feldspar are milled for 6 h, bulk density of the proppants is 1.46 g/cm3, apparent density is 2.70 g/cm3 and breakage ratio under 52 MPa closed pressure is 7.97%.

KEYWORDS:

• Ceramic proppant
• low-density
• feldspar
• milling
• sintering

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the [Shanxi Province Science and Technology Major Special Project] under Grant [number 20181101001]; and [Key Research and Development (R&D) Projects of Shanxi Province] under Grant [number 201903D121101 and 201803D121027].

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Shanxi Province Science and Technology Major Special Project [20181101001]; Key Research and Development (R&D) Projects of Shanxi Province [201803D121027]; Key Research and Development (R&D) Projects of Shanxi Province [201903D121101].

Notes on contributors

Jianying Hao

JianyingHao born in 1978. Associate professor, doctor of materials science, Taiyuan University of Science and Technology. The main research direction is structural ceramic materials and new building materials.

Tao Hu

Tao Hu born in 1998. Master candidate in School of Materials Science and Engineering, Taiyuan University of Science and Technology. The major is material engineering, and the main research direction is inorganic nonmetallic materials.

Guanji Cheng

Guanji Cheng born in 1996. Master candidate in School of Materials Science and Engineering, Taiyuan University of Science and Technology. The major is materials science and engineering, and the main research direction is inorganic nonmetallic materials.

Bing Guo

Bing Guo born in 1993. Master candidate in School of Materials Science and Engineering, Taiyuan University of Science and Technology. The major is material engineering, and the main research direction is new building materials.

Pinbo Bai

Pinbo Bai born in 1988. Engineer, master of materials science, Changqing Fracturing Proppant Co. Ltd. The main research direction is structural ceramic materials.

Yuming Tian

Yuming Tian born in 1969. Professor, doctor of materials science, Shanxi Engineering Vocational College and Taiyuan University of Science and Technology. The main research direction is advanced ceramic materials.