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A High Alumina Concentrate From Low-Grade Burley Clay, Leonard Stearns

Masters Theses

"The principal source of raw material for the production of high-alumina refractories are the diaspore clays of Missouri. These highly refractory clays contain a large percentage of the mineral, diaspore, a monohydrate of alumina whose theoretical chemical formula is Al₂O₃ʺH₂O. The clays as mined contain from 85 to 65 per cent alumina...Diaspore clays as now found fill sandstone-lined "sink holes" or depressions in the parts of the district underlain by rocks of the Pennsylvanian Age. They are rough open-textured clays, grey or buff in color usually, containing the mineral diaspore in the form of shot-like particles or "oolites." There are …