Latvian quartz sand for production of glass | Latvijas kvarca smiltis stikla ražošanai

English. Quartz sand is a wide-spread mineral in Latvia. The chemical compositions and particle size distribution of Latvian minefields Bale (Devonian period) and Skudra (Jurassic period) were observed. Latvian quartz sands were compared with sands from other mines of the region. Latvian sand usability for glass industry was specified after corresponding treatment. The necessity of Latvian quartz sand enrichment for improving of chemical composition and particle size distribution was demonstrated. Main methods of quartz sand enrichment and the requirements for sand treatment factories were described. Also, the nearest sand mines, enrichment factories and main glass production lines were observed. Mainly, Latvia has alluvion period quartz sand, but it lies at large burial depth and it also has high content of colouring oxides (iron and titanium), these factors limit the usability. The main requirements for sand foreseen for building and metal industries are particle size and its distribution; chemical composition is not so important, therefore, mainly, Latvian quartz sand mines with SiO298% are useful for building industry. Thus, for such purpose this sand must be only separated by fraction and, in some cases, e.g. for dry mixture, also drying and milling. Glass and ceramic industries have much stronger requirements regarding chemical composition and particle sizes, therefore, different treatment and enrichment methods must be used for obtaining corresponding products. It is defined that the most perspective for glass industry quartz sand minefields in Latvia are Devonian period sands in Vidzeme and Jurassic sands in Kurzeme, but complex treatment is needed.

Latvian. Latvijas teritorijā relatīvi plaši izplatīta minerālā izejviela ir smiltis. Rakstā dots pārskats par Latvijas devona (Bāles atradne) un juras perioda (Skudru atradne) kvarca smilšu ķīmisko un granulometrisko sastāvu. Latvijas kvarca smiltis salīdzinātas ar Baltijas reģiona atradnēm un atzīmēta iespēja tās izmantot stikla ražošanai. Parādīta nepieciešamība Latvijas smilšu attīrīšanai – granulometriskai un ķīmiskai sastāva uzlabošanai. Aprakstītas galvenās kvarca smilšu bagātināšanas metodes un prasības bagātināšanas rūpnīcām.