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Diatomaceous earth (IPA: /ˌdʌɪətəˈmeɪʃəs ˈəː(r)θ/, also known as DE, TSS, diatomite, diahydro, kieselguhr, kieselgur and Celite) is a naturally occurring, soft, chalk-like sedimentary rock that is easily crumbled into a fine white to off-white powder. This powder has an abrasive feel, similar to pumice powder, and is very light, due to its high porosity. The typical chemical composition of diatomaceous earth is 86% silica, 5% sodium, 3% magnesium and 2% iron.
Diatomaceous earth consists of fossilized remains of diatoms, a type of hard-shelled algae. It is used as a filtration aid, as a mild abrasive, as a mechanical insecticide, as an absorbent for liquids, as cat litter, as an activator in blood clotting studies, and as a component of dynamite. As it is also heat-resistant, it can be used as a thermal insulator.
Applications
Industrial
Diatomaceous earth, when mixed with nitroglycerin, stabilizes it, and the result is known as Dynamite. Dynamite is much safer to transport and handle than nitroglycerin in its raw form.
In 1866, Alfred Nobel discovered that nitroglycerin could be made much more stable if absorbed in diatomite. He patented this mixture as dynamite in 1867, and the mixture is also referred to as guhr dynamite.
Filtration
The most common use (68%) of diatomaceous earth is as a filter medium, especially for swimming pools. It has a high porosity, because it is composed of microscopically-small, coffin-like, hollow particles. It is used in chemistry under the name Celite as a filtration aid, to filter very fine particles that would otherwise pass through or clog filter paper. It is also used to filter water, particularly in the drinking water treatment process, and other liquids, such as beer and wine. It can also filter syrups and sugar. Other industries such as paper, paints, ceramics, soap and detergents use it as a fulling material.
Abrasive
The oldest use of diatomite is as a very mild abrasive and, for this purpose, it has been used both in toothpaste and in metal polishes, as well as in some facial scrubs.
Read more at Wikipedia.org
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