perlite 2013 fall final
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PERLITE INSTITUTE, INC.
FALL
20
13
A Q u a r t e r l y P u b l i c a t i o n o f t h e Pe r l i t e I n s t i t u t e DIS
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2 ...... Board of Directors
2 ...... Message from the President
3 ...... Annual Meeting Wrap-up
4 ...... Message from the Executive Director
5 ...... Why Perlite Rocks
9 ...... The Perlite Papers
11 ...... Patents: Two Thumbs Up for Perlite
11 ...... Perlite Patents
12 ...... Technical Q&As
13 ...... Industry News
14 ...... News from the Perlite Institute– Dues Reminder– New Members– Articles for Newsletter Sought
15 ...... Revised Product Guide
16 ...... Selected Upcoming Trade Shows andMeetings
The Perlite Institute’s Annual Meeting was heldin Sydney, Australia, Sept. 29 through Oct. 2.
See page 3 for a summary of the event.
Perlite Today—FALL 2013 PERLITE INSTITUTE, INC.PAGE 2
2013 Board of Directors for the Perlite Institute
Annual Meeting in Australia a SuccessGreetings to all!
What an outstanding Annual Meeting we had inbeautiful Sydney, Australia! Our gracious hosts atAusperl rolled out the red carpet for us as wetoured their excellent facilities and enjoyed a mid-morning snack of sausages, Aussie barbie-style.
Our general sessions covered a wide range oftopics, including aspects of the packaging, handlingand production of perlite to applications of perlitein filtration, lightweight refractory products andhigh-tech greenhouse production. Without a doubt,our annual dinner was unforgettable as we enjoyedwine pairings selected for us and presented byPeter Lehmann Wine’s chief winemaker, AndrewWigan. On behalf of the Perlite Institute, our thanksgo to Matthew Malaghan and everyone atAustralian Perlite for a memorable Annual Meeting.
We have a busy year ahead of us as we continuewith our efforts to increase membership in the
Perlite Institute, enhance ourwebsite, transform our literature for the 21stcentury and stay in front of market and industryissues.
Thank you all for your participation in and supportof the Perlite Institute.
Message from the Presidentby Linda Chirico
During the Annual Meeting in Sydney, Perlite Institutemembers toured the facilities of Ausperl.
OFFICERSPRESIDENTLinda Chirico
Carolina Perlite Company, Inc.Gold Hill, N.C.
704-279-2325
VICE PRESIDENTMatt Goecker
EP Minerals LLCReno, Nev.
775-824-7658
TREASURERKeith Hoople
Midwest Perlite, Inc.Appleton, Wis.
920-731-2671
PAST PRESIDENT / ADVISORKathryn Louis
Sun Gro Horticulture Canada, Ltd.Bellevue, Wash.
425-433-0170
DIRECTORSSebastien Caspard
Imerys Performance &
Filtration MineralsParis, France
(33) 633 50 82 17
Mike HessIdaho Minerals LLCMalad City, Idaho
208-766-4777 or 800-767- 4701
René van der MarkPull Rhenen b.v.Rhenen, Netherlands
(31) 318-471001
Matthew MalaghanAustralian Perlite Pty LimitedSydney, Australia
61 2 9316 0054
Jerry MishlerSupreme PerlitePortland, Ore.
503-286-4333
Rick WillisSilbrico CorporationHodgkins, Ill.
708-354-3350
Perlite Today—FALL 2013 PERLITE INSTITUTE, INC.PAGE 3
More than 60 attendees traveled to the land “downunder” and enjoyed many opportunities fornetworking and socializing at this year’s PerliteInstitute Annual Meeting in Sydney, Australia, Sept.29 through Oct 2.
Participants heard speakers present on such topicsas the usage of perlite in vegetable developmentand flower production, the future trends for bulksacks, the role of perlite in processing, and howperlite is used in the Australian and New Zealandregions. Attendees were even treated to wine thathad perlite used in the wine-making process.
Members and guests enjoyed various socialactivities while in Sydney as well. A four-hourcruise of Sydney harbor kicked off the meeting. OnMonday, spouses and companions had theopportunity to tour the Museum of Sydney andHyde Park Barracks. On Tuesday, the full groupenjoyed a wonderful lunch at Doyle’s on the Beachand an afternoon bus tour of Sydney.
Special thanks are extended to our hosts, MatthewMalaghan and Andrew Anderson from Ausperl
Perlite Pty Ltd., and to Meetings and MembershipCommittee members Linda Chirico, Jeffrey Sheehyand Rick Willis for their hard work and dedicationto the planning of the program, topics andspeakers.
The 2014 Annual Meeting dates and location willbe announced soon. Please watch the PerliteInstitute website for updates.
The Institute’s Annual Meeting Declared A Success in the Land Down Under
2013 Annual MeetingMaterials Online
One of Perlite Institute’s member benefits is theability to learn about new developments in theindustry. Whether or not you attended the AnnualMeeting in Sydney, you may access electroniccopies of the speakers’ presentations nowavailable on the website, www.perlite.org. Othermaterials from the Annual Meeting have also beenposted on the website, including the AnnualMeeting minutes, photos and final attendee listing.
Snapshots from the Annual Meeting Attendees enjoyed fellowship, networking,educational speakers and tours of Sydney duringthe Perlite Institute’s Annual Meeting in Australia.
Perlite Today—FALL 2013 PERLITE INSTITUTE, INC.PAGE 4
Surely, the 67 attendees will agree that this year’sAnnual Meeting was one of the best. From theAnnual Meeting survey, we learned that attendeesenjoyed the tour of Ausperl Perlite, the SydneyHarbor dinner cruise and the networkingopportunities. Thanksagain to MatthewMalaghan and everyonefrom Ausperl Perlite formaking the AnnualMeeting in Sydney sosuccessful!
The Perlite Institute’sBoard of Directors is always thinking about how tomake your membership in the association evenmore valuable. During the Annual Meeting inSydney, the Board of Directors approved the 2014budget, which includes money for new memberbenefits.
In 2014, members will have the chance toparticipate in two educational webinars: one in thespring and one in the fall. The Perlite Institute isoffering online educational opportunities so allmembers can take advantage of amazingeducational opportunities from the comfort of theirown home or office. Look for e-blasts with moreinformation about the webinars in early 2014.
Another new member benefit that will be offeredin 2014 is a member spotlight for each issue ofPerlite Today. Information that is used in thepublication can also be posted on your member
company page on the PerliteInstitute website if you wish, sothis is a great opportunity to highlight yourcompany using multiple avenues. If you can’t waitfor our newsletter editor to feature your companyfor the member spotlight, feel free to email Amy [email protected].
While the Annual Meeting is not a new memberbenefit, the 2014 Annual Meeting location will benew. We are planning to hold the 2014 AnnualMeeting in either Salt Lake City, Utah, or Orlando,Fla. The Meetings and Membership Committee willbe making the decision in the near future, and youwill receive a save-the-date e-blast when thathappens so you can mark your calendar.
Take full advantage of the member benefits thatthe Perlite Institute offers you; the more you usethe benefits that you’re offered, the more you willprosper.
Message from the Executive Directorby Denise R. Calabrese
2014 Promises More Member Benefits Than Ever
The Board of Directorsis always thinkingabout how to makeyour membership inthe association evenmore valuable.
More Snapshots from the Annual Meeting
is a quarterly publication
of the
Perlite Institute, Inc.4305 N. 6th St., Suite A
Harrisburg, PA 17110 USA
Phone: 717.238.9723Fax: 717.238.9985
Winter issue is distributed in JanuarySpring issue is distributed in AprilSummer issue is distributed in JulyFall issue is distributed in October
www.perlite.org
Perlite Today—FALL 2013 PERLITE INSTITUTE, INC.PAGE 5
Proposed Silica Exposure Rules Finally Released for CommentCRYSTALLINE SILICA and DUST
Finally, after two and a half years, the U.S.government has released new proposed silicaexposure rules for comment. OSHA is chargedwith the responsibility of distributing the proposedregulations, receiving and responding to commentsand eventually releasing and enforcing the finallimits. Mine Safety and Health Administration ruleswill follow.
In the meantime, the proposed standard wouldeliminate the calculation that determines thepermissible exposure limit (PEL) for an eight-hourshift exposed to respirable crystalline silica. Inplace of the formula(which works out to 100micrograms per cubicmeter of air when dealingwith 100 percent quartz),a hard number of 50micrograms per cubic meter of air is proposed asthe PEL.
Additionally, an action level of 25 micrograms percubic meter of air is to be implemented. Thataction level requires respiratory protection forworkers and suggests limiting worker access toareas where they could be exposed to levels abovethe PEL. Dust controls must be used to protectworkers from exposure above the PEL, andrespiratory protection must be provided whendust controls are not sufficient.
Training on ways for workers to limit exposure,medical exams for workers exposed above the PELfor 30 or more days per year and record keepingon exposures and medical histories of workers willbe mandated. Further information is available atwww.osha.gov/silica/index.html.
The government estimates the implementationcost for companies with fewer than 20 employeesto be an average of $550 per year. Testing isexpected to be conducted two to four times peryear, depending on actual exposure levels.
Will these rules present opportunities to perlitersto replace other products? Perhaps. Will they spur
research by manufacturers ofother products to minimizepotentials for dust? Almost certainly. Could thatresearch involve the use of perlite to help solidtablets, briquettes or other formed shapes todisintegrate into liquids where and whennecessary? Quite likely.
Changes to California’s Proposition 65 continue tobe debated. In addition, parts of the CaliforniaEnvironmental Quality Act (CEQA) are beingreviewed to determine whether they could bemade more employer-friendly without affectingemissions and exposures. CEQA was signed intolaw in 1970 by then California Gov. Ronald Reagan.
On the other side of the Atlantic, lawsuits filed inLondon regarding crystalline silica exposure bySouth African miners working for Anglo-AmericanGold were thrown out. Lawyers plan to refile thelawsuits in South Africa.
GLOBAL WARMING and POLITICS
While debates about policies, taxes and a lot ofother stuff rage, at least in the United States, it’snice to read about a new technology beingcommercialized in NewJersey that can somewhatput off the doomsdaypredictions. The mainadvantage of this newtechnology is that theprocess creates lesscarbon dioxide than the current technology, and itprovides a way to sequester even more carbondioxide. Even though the net result creates carbondioxide, the new technology significantly reducesthe amount created per unit volume.
So, what is this technology all about? OrdinaryPortland cement and the concrete made with it.
Solidia Technologies is marketing a new way tocreate clinker, at a similar cost to regular cementclinker, and then cure the concrete in the presenceof carbon dioxide to lock the gas into thecementitious structure. It is likely that perlite
Will these rules presentopportunities to perlitersto replace other products?Perhaps.
It is likely that perlitewould be an acceptable,lightweight, lower-strength aggregate in thescope of this technology.
Continued on page 6
Why Perlite Rocks A look at news around the globe affectingPerlite manufacturers
by Kenneth Wiener
Perlite Today—FALL 2013 PERLITE INSTITUTE, INC.PAGE 6
would be an acceptable, lightweight, lower-strengthaggregate in the scope of this technology.
Another item making the news is a study linkingdung beetles, cow patties and methane production.According to the study, anaerobically producedmethane from manure is significantly reduced (upto 80 percent) via the tunneling actions/aeration ofdung beetles. Of course, there’s a doomsdaymessage in this study as well since the dung beetlespecies is experiencing die-off.
EU LAWS: REACh, CLP
The EU had funded (five million euros out of aneight million euro budget) a four-year study onadvancing perlite technology, and that researchperiod recently ended. The final report may havebeen issued, because I have seen an interestingabstract. If anyone has access to the full report, itcould be interesting to a great many members ofthe Perlite Institute.
MINE SAFETY
Fracking and earthquakes. Related or not? Asgeologists study the issue further, the answer ischanging from “definitely not” to pointing fingers atsome cases where there may have been arelationship. What remains as a definite yes,however, is the relationship between fracking fluiddisposal wells and earthquakes. Why can’t frackingfluids be filtered, sent over some membrane toremove chemicals and then sent to wastewatertreatment facilities? If some cleaned water could beused as an irrigation source, pressure onunderground aquifers as a resource could berelieved.
With regards to coal mines, West Virginialegislation to reduce the equipment shutdowntrigger concentration ofunderground methanefrom the federallymandated 2 percent to1.25 percent failed afterclear, acceptable languagecould not be agreed upon.The explosive range in airfor methane is between 5and 15 percent, so this legislation could haveimproved the safety margin. Labor, coal companiesand government officials wanted this change, andthey will have to try again in 2015.
I’m not sure how it was measured, but South Africaclaims to have improved mine safety by 66 percentover the past decade, beating the 47 percentimprovement in the United States and the 25percent improvement in Canada.
On the other hand, black lung disease among coalminers in Appalachia is rising, even amongyounger miners. Factors to blame include 12-hourshifts using acceptable dust levels for eight-hourshifts, misuse of respiratory protection, thinnercoal seams and inadequate ventilation.
COMPETITION
A professor at Michigan Technological Universityhas created a wholly new way to kill unwantedbacteria. He succeeded in attaching nanoparticlesof copper to commercially available vermiculiteand intends to incorporate the modifiedvermiculite into cardboard, plastic and otherproducts used to package food.
The modified vermiculite killed 100 percent of E.coli in a lake water sample, as well asstaphlylococcus aureus, Listeria, Salmonella andeven antibiotic-resistant MRSA. Viruses and fungican also be victims of this new material.
Copper nanoparticles were deposited in two wayson two different grades of vermiculite. Oneinvolved chemicallyreducing copper ions in aconcentrated solution ofcopper sulfate withhydrogen in the presenceof vermiculite. The otherprocess involved copperions and heat (400 to 600degrees C), whereincopper atoms replacedmagnesium atoms in the vermiculite structure.
If vermiculite, why not perlite? In fact, myexperience with vermiculite is that even moderateloading levels change the color of everything.Perlite, in small enough amounts, helps to maintaincolors.
Another material that sort of competes with perliteis cenospheres. These floaters from coalcombustion/fly ash used to cost about the same asperlite per unit weight, but with an effectivespecific gravity of about 0.75. Not too long ago, thespecific gravity of many of those grades was about0.8 or 0.85. Now, with various market forces in play
Why Perlite Rocks continued from page 5
Continued on page 7
Construction companiesthat have consideredperlite in the past butrejected it due to thehigher crush strength ofthe cenospheres might beconsidered potentialcustomers once again.
Why can’t fracking fluidsbe filtered, sent oversome membrane toremove chemicals andthen sent to wastewatertreatment facilities?
Perlite Today—FALL 2013 PERLITE INSTITUTE, INC.PAGE 7
around the world, the specific gravity of mostgrades is 1 or even above. Availability has beenreduced, and prices per ton have roughly tripledover the past 10 years or so. Constructioncompanies that have considered perlite in the pastbut rejected it due to the higher crush strength ofthe cenospheres might be considered potentialcustomers once again.
THE ECONOMY
Another doomsday prediction involves theOgallala aquifer in the middle of the United States.We’ve known about the depletion of thegroundwater there for some time, but anotherstudy has been releasedforecasting the availablewater over time at variousprojected rates. In light ofthis study, I know that Iwould like to see somemore research on howour smaller size horticultural perlite can benefitfarmers and reduce the need for frequentirrigation.
On another note, natural gas prices remain low assupplies are above average in the United States.This is good for perliters, as energy remains asignificant portion of costs. The fracking boom alsocreates opportunities, as I mention from time totime.
In other news, a return in activity in theconstruction market is dependent on banks and
their real estate interestrates. Ramping up thoserates too much couldquench the comeback,while keeping rates lowleaves money on the tablefor the banks.
GREEN BUILDINGS
LEED v4 is expected to be released in November atthe Greenbuild Expo in Philadelphia. New featureswill allow certain points for projects avoidingspecific chemicals. LEED v4 has generatedcontroversy over the listing of at least some ofthese chemicals. For example, plastics such asPVC fared poorly during the development of thenew LEED standards. As a result, member groupssuch as the Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc.,
and the American Chemistry Council are unhappy.If points are awarded to projects that use no PVCor fluorocarbons, as originally drafted, the U.S.Green Building Council will have not listened tothe science behind the use of these materials.They will essentially be punishing the use of thosepolymers.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has come outagainst the new LEED standards, and that too hasproven controversial. A large Swedish-basedconstruction firm, Skanska, USA, is no longer amember of the Chamber of Commerce because ofthis anti-LEED stance. To compete with LEED,several dissenting associations formed theAmerican High-Performance Building Coalition,whose name for its website(www.betterbuildingstandards.com) is indicativeof the group’s philosophy.
Another controversy is the ambivalent attitude ofthe U.S. federal government toward LEED. Thegovernment wants the benefits but does not wantto pay for them. This is as much the result ofpolitics as the question of whether or not LEEDstandards are voluntary and based on consensus.
Overall, in 2013, local building codes have beenupdated as municipalities have adopted newsections pertaining togreen buildings. Greenbuilding automation hasbecome available,allowing management inthe Cloud. Increased useof online technology isexpected due to the largeamount of new softwareand hardware targeting building automation andfacility management. Additionally, because of thecarbon emission reduction requirements inCalifornia (AB 32) and in the city of Seattle,commercial building owners are now obligated todisclose the actual green building performance toall new tenants and buyers and, in some instances,to the public.
BIOFUELS & OTHER SUSTAINABILITY ISSUES
If anyone remembers the plant “jatropha,” youmay remember that biofuels made from the fruitand seeds were considered “cutting edge” aboutseven years ago. Little has been heard aboutjatropha since, in part because plantings on about
Why Perlite Rocks continued from page 6
Continued on page 8
Perhaps our smaller sizehorticultural perlite canbenefit farmers andreduce the need forfrequent irrigation.
In 2013, local buildingcodes have beenupdated as municipalitieshave adopted newsections pertaining togreen buildings.
A return in activity in theconstruction market isdependent on banksand their real estateinterest rates.
Perlite Today—FALL 2013 PERLITE INSTITUTE, INC.PAGE 8
200,000 hectares (about 770 square miles!) ofotherwise nonarable land failed to produce theprojected crop.
The plants did grow, but the poor oil quality/yieldof the seeds failed to make the plantings a viablesource of biofuel. To achieve the potential for oil,the plants had to be grown on land competing withfood crops and watered properly. Investors,including big companies such as BP PLC and smallfarmers around the world, had to take a loss ontheir efforts. BP spent $160 million on the projectin 2007 and abandoned it two years later.
Now, it has been discovered that jatrophaplantings, properly watered but again grown onnonarable land, can change an environment in agood way and serve as an economicallycompetitive method ofcapturing carbon from theatmosphere. The plants inthe current study wereplanted in coastal areas ofEgypt and Israel andwatered with desalinizedseawater. A more modest 10,000-hectare (less than40-square-mile) test site may be planted in thefuture.
In other biofuel news, my state, California, mayonce again see itself at odds with the federalgovernment on how to do things. California lawmandates goals, not the path. On the other hand,renewable resource-based fuel is also mandated byfederal laws and regulations but in more specificterms. To get things done, the federal standardslistened to the ethanol lobby and advanced biofuelinvestors in addition to the usual suspects ofenvironmental groups and oil companies.
Specific numbers were set on how many millionsof gallons of different types of renewable fuelsshould be blended into gasoline for what year.Projections of availability of advanced technology-based biofuels were wrong. Sugar cane ethanolfrom Brazil and food grain-based ethanol fromcrops such as corn and soybean are easy sources,but at serious expense to the environment, qualityof life and food chains. The corn lobby andlobbyists from other industries are working tomaintain the current requirements.
In another sustainability issue, I knew that brewingbeer is an activity that takes a lot of water, but
exactly how much is amazing. In 2008, MillerCoorsset a company-wide sustainability goal of reducingthe amount of water it uses in the brewing processby just 15 percent. In 2008, the ratio was 4.1volumes of water to 1 volume of beer. By 2012, thecompany had reduced that number by about 7percent, and so far in 2013, its eight U.S. breweriesare only using 3.51 volumes of water per volume ofbeer. MillerCoors’ use of water is estimated to bebelow industry average (between 5 and 7:1), andthat’s not counting the other 90 percent of waterused for beer—irrigation water used to grow thegrains.
OTHER REGULATORY ISSUES
Although strictly speaking this is an environmentalissue, the topic of mercury content in coalintended for burning in power-generating facilitiesis regulated in countries such as the United States.Removal of mercury from coal has not beenrequired in Asian countries, and if it continues thatway, more Pacific fish of more species will havehigher mercury content in their flesh.
Flue gas desulfurization systems designed forsulfur recovery can easily be adapted for capturingmercury as well.
The 1970s-era Toxic Substances Control Act is upfor revamping, and the U.S. Congress will bedebating the Lautenberg-Vitter bipartisan bill.Initial outcries from California are being addressed,and I will follow the progress of the proposed law.
Until next time, happy expanding! Contact me [email protected] if you have anyquestions.
Why Perlite Rocks continued from page 7
Jatropha plantings canserve as an economicallycompetitive method ofcapturing carbon fromthe atmosphere.
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Perlite Today—FALL 2013 PERLITE INSTITUTE, INC.PAGE 9
The Perlite Papers Innovative Uses of Perlite Explored
by Kenneth Wiener
Perlite Uses in Furnace Efficiency, Solar Cells and BiofiltrationFurnace Energy Efficiency1
I continue to find it amazing how little I was taughtin school and college. In thermodynamics, Iremember dealing with energy, enthalpy andentropy, but not emergy or exergy, much lessanergy. No, I did not make those words up. Theyare real.
Wikipedia has both simpleand extensiveexplanations of thoseterms. So, I looked for amodern textbook onthermodynamics. Howard DeVoe’s 533-pagetextbook, Thermodynamics and Chemistry, SecondEdition (2012), does not mention emergy and hasonly a footnote mentioning that processesinvolving changes in G (Gibbs free energy – relatedto enthalpy) aresometimes called“exergonic.”
So what does this have todo with perlite? Perliteexpansion is all about theuse of energy to pop theparticles. A recent studyexamined energyefficiencies at a relativelysmall expansion facility (7tonnes per day) inTurkey. The authorsfound the furnace energyefficiency to be 66percent and the exergyefficiency to be about 26percent. Both thesevalues are significantlybelow average furnaceefficiencies. They suggestusing waste heat topreheat the air and theore, improving insulationaround piping and havingthe furnace manufacturerprovide better training on
efficient operation of the furnace. The paybackperiod for all these changes was calculated to be 11months.
Solar Cells2
In other energy-related news, researchers fromArmenia and Belarus report that for the first time,thin-film solar cells with acopper-indium-gallium-selenium (CIGS) absorberlayer were formed on aspecially designednonconductive ceramicsubstrate based on perliteto produce photovoltaicdevices fully integrated into building constructions.This glass ceramic satisfies the physical demandsof the substrate material as well as the
requirements of costreduction of solar cells
production. Thispaper presentspreliminary resultswhich show thatthis design of solar
cells had about 10percent efficiency and
suggests thatefficiencies higher than 10percent may be designed.I have not seen the paperto determine exactly whatform of perlite was usedas a substrate, but Isuspect it was not loose.
Biofiltration3
Sticking with the energytheme, researchers inSpain worked onimproving biofilters foruse in removing volatileair contaminants such astoluene. They compared
Continued on page 10
Perlite expansion is allabout the use of energyto pop the particles.
This design of solar cellshad about 10 percentefficiency and suggeststhat efficiencies higherthan 10 percent maybe designed.
Honorable substance,Brought forth from earth for earth,Might we do our best to celebrateyour worth.Keeping our soil airy,Our ground made better,And the quality of dirt that muchmore fantastic,This is the link to the depths comeback around to make improvements.
This poem was commissioned by Ken Wiener.Permission is granted for any member to use it.
Perliteby Jacqueline Suskin
Perlite Today—FALL 2013 PERLITE INSTITUTE, INC.PAGE 10
two designs: a standard filterwith one inlet and one exit and astep filter with multiple (three)inlet feeds and one eventualoutlet. The systems looked likethe diagram at right.
The standard filter (A) cloggedrelatively quickly and requiredhigh energy levels to push moreair through. Configuration Bresulted in much lowerpressures for much longerperiods of time and saved a lotof energy. Conversionefficiencies of gaseouscontaminants via compost-filledbiofilters were significantlybetter than via perlite-filledbiofilters, but that could be expected based on theability of compost to support the necessary
bacteria for contaminantremoval. Perhaps a mix ofperlite and compost couldresult in the best of bothworlds.
I continue to look forward to reading about andreporting on innovative thinking out there in boththe literature and the real world.
References:1 M. Gürtürk, H.F. Oztop, A. Hepbaslı, “Energy and
exergy assessments of a perlite expansionfurnace in a plaster plant,” Energy Conversion andManagement, Volume 75, November 2013, pages488–497.
2 V.B. Zalesski, V.M. Kravchenko, T.R. Leonova,А.М. Polikanin, E.P. Zaretskaya, S.G. Petrosyan,A.M.Kechiantz, “Thin-film solar cells on perliteglass-ceramic substrates,” The European PhysicalJournal Applied Physics, Volume 62(3), June 2013,30103.
3 J.M. Estrada, G. Quijano, R. Lebrero, R. Muñoz,“Step-feed biofiltration: A low-cost alternativeconfiguration for off-gas treatment,” WaterResearch, Volume 47(13), September 2013, pages4312–4321.
The Perlite Paperscontinued from page <None>
Do you have
information to share
with the members of
the Perlite Institute?
Do you want to write
an article for the
newsletter?
Contact the Editor
Submissions should be sent to the
editor [email protected].
Perhaps a mix of perliteand compost couldresult in the best ofboth worlds.
During the month ofSeptember, thePerlite Institutewebsite had 2,263visits and 5,135 pageviews. Of the visits,nearly 72 percentwere new.
Perlite Today—FALL 2013 PERLITE INSTITUTE, INC.PAGE 11
Patents: Two ThumbsUp for Perlite
by Kenneth Wiener
Usual Uses with Evolutionary,Incremental Improvements
When you look at the accompanying list ofpatents involving perlite granted thisquarter, note that many of them involveusual uses of perlite with evolutionary,incremental improvements.
However, when thinking about perlite intoothpaste (’380, Balmelli, et al.), Ibelieve that an invention that makes aperlite-containing paste more flowablemight have additional applications inconstruction compounds, either with orwithout the use of Portland cement as abinder. In particular, the ’380 inventioninvolves controlling the percent of floatersin the perlite grades usually used as filteraid.
Wang’s patent (’814, assigned to ImerysFiltration) envisions making structuraland other parts out of foamed glass madewith perlite. Such a material wouldprovide highly insulative parts forconstruction, such as blocks and roofingtiles, while taking care of another problem.Every perlite mine has to worry about aproper balance of sales of fine and coarsecrushed ore. This patent affords an outletfor almost any unused fraction from thecrushing process.
Lastly, McKee’s patent (’750) teaches amethod of improving the ease of crushingperlite ore. He suggests that heating perliteore to between 350 and 400 degrees Fslightly fractures the ore, making grindingit that much easier. His intended use of thefine particles is as a pozzolanic material.
Even if none of the listed patents generatesany sales for Perlite Institute members,they keep pushing the boundaries ofperlite thinking, production andapplications. Thanks for continuing thisjourney with me.
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Perlite Today—FALL 2013 PERLITE INSTITUTE, INC.PAGE 12
Q: I am working on a project that involves usingperlite as under slab insulation. Where can Ifind data for the compressive strength of pure,tamped perlite (no cement)?
A: A great insulation, perlite used under slab canimprove the R factor clear up to 25 depending onthe thickness used. The perlite remains in bagsunder the flooring and is not part of the structuralsupport. Some specifics on under slab insulationwith perlite can be found at www.perlite.org/library-perlite-info/insulation-perlite/Perlite-underslab-insulation.pdf.
Information on the compressive strength of cementwith various levels of perlite is available atwww.perlite.org/library-perlite-info/construction-perlite/Perlite-Concrete.pdf.
Q: What are the effects, if any, of moisturemigrating through an unfinished concretemasonry unit (CMU) wall on thermal resistancevalues of loose-fill perlite insulation?
A: There should be insignificant migration ofmoisture through a CMU wall. More information onthe thermal resistance values and acoustic impactof loose-fill perlite insulation can be found atwww.perlite.org/library-perlite-info/insulation-perlite/Perlite_Loose-Fill-Masonary-Insulation.pdf,www.perlite.org/library-perlite-info/insulation-perlite/Thermal-Performance_Perlite-Insulated-Masonary.pdf and www.perlite.org/library-perlite-info/insulation-perlite/Perlite_Loose-Fill-Insulation.pdf.
Q: We are updating our company’s specialreport on insulation and adding rigid perlite toour guidebook. We have tables showing avariety of thermal and moisture managementproperties but are seeking information on vaporpermeability of rigid products. Can you help?
A: The definition of rigid board is “an insulationboard composed of inorganic expanded siliceousvolcanic glass (perlite) combined with organicfibers and binders. Air cells within the expandedperlite provide its insulating efficiency.
The top surface of the insulation board is treatedwith either an asphalt coating or a proprietary
coating. The coating is intended to limit adhesive(asphalt) absorption into the insulation during theroof membrane application. Perlite insulation isavailable in flat boards and tapered boards. Also,perlite rigid products are also listed as pipeinsulation and gypsum board.”
A number of rigid perlite board products areavailable from various producers, who shouldhave information relative to the vaporperformance of such products.
The Perlite Institute does not have product-specificinformation on these materials. The following linksshould take you to sites that may enable you to getsuch information:www.gaf.com/Roofing/Commercial/Products/Roof_Insulation_And_Fastening_Systems/EnergyGuard_Insulation/Perlite orwww.celotex.co.uk/products
Q: Does the Perlite Institute have a koshercertificate?
A: The Perlite Institute does not have a koshercertificate since certification is done on acompany-by-company basis. One of our members,Silbrico, however, does have such a certification.For more information, contact Rick Willis [email protected] or Steve Toedt [email protected].
Q: I am trying to find companies in the UnitedStates or Canada that fabricate cold boxes forLNG, ethylene plants, etc. Do you have anyleads?
A: The Perlite Institute has member producersthroughout the world that can readily fill coldboxes when the time arises. Many have thecapabilities to unload as well as top off existingunits as well. These can be found from the link atthe bottom of our website at www.perlite.org.
Want to see more? Have your own question forChuck Vogelsang, the Perlite Institute’s technicalspokesperson? Visit the Perlite Institute Facebookpage at http://tinyurl.com/Perlite-Institute-Facebook or the LinkedIn Group athttp://tinyurl.com/Perlite-Institute-LinkedIn oremail [email protected].
Technical Q&As
Perlite Today—FALL 2013 PERLITE INSTITUTE, INC.PAGE 13
Industry News
Leaders from the European and Russianstandardization organizations recently signed ahistoric agreement that will facilitate trade ingoods and services between Europe and Russia.
The cooperation agreement among theEuropean Committee for Standardization (CEN),the European Committee for ElectrotechnicalStandardization (CENELEC) and the FederalAgency for Technical Regulation and Metrologyof the Russian Federation (Rosstandart)provides a framework for closer collaboration onvarious aspects of standardization.
The agreement will help facilitate the sharing ofinformation, the transfer of technical knowledgeand the exchange of best practices. The threeorganizations will meet regularly to discussissues of common interest and to identifyopportunities for collaboration. It will also be
possible for European experts and RussianTechnical Committee members to attend eachother’s meetings.
By developing and deepening their cooperationin the field of standardization, CEN, CENELECand Rosstandart will contribute to the growth oftrade between Europe and Russia and theestablishment of a “common economic space”as agreed upon between the European Unionand the Russian Federation at the St. PetersburgSummit in May 2003. In particular, they willsupport the “Partnership for Modernization” thatwas agreed to at the 2010 EU-Russia summit andwhich includes “promoting alignment oftechnical regulations and standards” among itspriority areas.
More information can be found on the CEN-CENELEC website.
Historic Agreement to Usher in Closer Cooperation AmongEuropean and Russian Standardization Organizations
Aquaponics Greenhouses: Fish and Plants Working Together
by Keith McCabe, DiGeronimo Aggregates LLC
This article originally ran in the newsletter of theExpanded Shale, Clay and Slate Institute (ESCSI). Itis reprinted with permission.
Last fall, Urban Vision, a community outreachorganization located in Akron, Ohio, startedconstruction on an aquaponicsgreenhouse. Aquaponics encompasses acompletely sustainable ecosystem that combinesraising fish (aquaculture) with hydroponics(raising plants in water) in a symbioticenvironment. The idea behind aquaponics is thatfish and plants serve functions that the otherneeds, with help from beneficial bacteria. Wastefrom the fish adds nutrients to the waterand fertilizes the plants. In turn, theplant/hydroponic media filter cleans the water inwhich the fish live.
The program’s objectives are to provide healthyfood for the community in an urban setting andteach teen leaders how to run a business. Usuallythe cheapest and most available food in the inner
city is also the unhealthiest and chemicallyaltered. Urban Vision is growing and selling to thecommunity healthy fresh produce at reasonablecosts – peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes, spinach,squash, asparagus, lettuce and strawberries, just toname a few.
Urban Vision’s greenhouse is enclosed in a 40-footby 24-foot area and has two 750-gallon fish tanks(for yellow perch and tilapia). The fish waste goesinto the tanks’ water, which is pumped into various
The aquaponicsgreenhouseprovides healthyfresh producethat is sold tothe communityat reasonablecosts.
Continued on page 14
Perlite Today—FALL 2013 PERLITE INSTITUTE, INC.PAGE 14
Thank you for supporting the Perlite Institutethroughout this past year. In an effort to continuethe momentum, the Perlite Institute sent you yourfirst 2014 dues renewal notice in mid-October so toprovide you with enough time to pay before themembership deadline of Dec. 31, 2013. If youhave not yet submitted payment, please do sotoday.
By renewing your membership, you can takeadvantage of the following member benefits:
◆ Access to the members’ only section of thewebsite, including access to the informationguides
◆ Company page on the Perlite Institute website
◆ Ability to hear top-notch speakers and networkat annual meetings
◆ Subscription to the quarterly newsletter, Perlite Today
◆ Timely health, environmental and regulatoryinformation
◆ Use of the Perlite Institute logo and name inyour advertising, website and other materials
If you have any questions concerning themembership renewal process, please email Angelaat [email protected] or 717-238-9723.We look forward to serving you throughout thisnext year!
Help Us Make Your Newsletter Even More Useful
Please help us make Perlite Today the mostrelevant and useful it can be for you, ourmembers. Email your ideas and any leads you mayhave for future articles to the editor, Amy, [email protected]. We hope to hearfrom you soon with your suggestions.
News from the Perlite Institute
Deadline is Dec. 31
Please Remember to Pay Your Perlite Institute Dues
Welcome, New Perlite Institute MembersThe following new membersrecently joined the Perlite Institute.Let’s help welcome them to ourmembership!
Regular:Emir Ergec, Bergama Perlite, Bergama Turkey
AssociateLaercio Solla, Buntech, Sao Paulo, Brazil
growing beds filled with 100 percent expandedshale, clay and slate lightweight aggregate soillessmedia. The aggregate filters the nutrients out of thewater, allowing the seeds planted in the beds toabsorb them and to grow. ESCS aggregate is anexcellent home for the growth of bacteria thatplants need for development. The water recyclesout of the beds and back into the fish tanks,returning fresh, oxygenated water back to the fish.
The process is all-natural with no chemicals oradditives. Even the waste from harvested plantsgoes into a compost pile where Urban Visiongrows worms to feed the fish and create morefertilizer for the plants. While traditionalgreenhouses have to keep the entire environmentwarm, aquaponics systems focus on heating thewater instead of the air. A hot-water line fromUrban Vision’s boiler wraps around the fish tanksto keep the fish and water warm. Warming thewater heats the plant beds as it cycles through thesystem and provides warmth for the fish. If the fishget too cold, they hibernate and neither eat norproduce waste to feed the plants.
Aquaponics systems produce about twice as muchfrom the plants as traditional gardening methods,and they also produce fish to eat. The systems areorganic, and the plants are pest-free and weed-free.Talk about sustainability!
Aquaponics Greenhouses: Fish and Plants Working TogetherContinued from page 13
Perlite Today—FALL 2013 PERLITE INSTITUTE, INC.PAGE 15
Updated Product Guide
To view this
product guide and
many more, go to the
Perlite Information Library.
Perlite Today—FALL 2013 PERLITE INSTITUTE, INC.PAGE 16
Opening ClosingDate Date Name of Show Location Website
11/12/2013 11/14/2013 Filtration Chicago, Ill., Navy Pier www.inda.org/inda-events
11/14/2013 11/15/2013 Green Industry Show Edmonton, Alberta, Canada www.greenindustryshow.comEdmonton Expo Centre
11/18/2013 11/23/2013 Greenbuild Philadelphia, Pa. www.greenbuildexpo.org11/20/2013 11/21/2013 Exposition Days Pennsylvania Convention Center
12/4/2013 12/6/2013 Construct Canada Toronto, Ontario, Canada www.constructcanada.com/pre_show/index.phpMetro Toronto Convention Centre
12/10/2013 12/12/2013 Green Expo Atlantic City, N.J. www.njturfgrass.orgTrump Taj Mahal Casino Resort
1/8/2014 1/10/2014 Mid-Atlantic Nursery Trade Show Baltimore, Md. www.mants.comBaltimore Convention Center
1/13/2014 1/17/2014 Mid-Atlantic Horticultural Newport News, Va. www.mahsc.orgTrade Show Newport News Marriott at City Center
1/21/2014 1/24/2014 World of Concrete Las Vegas, Nev. www.worldofconcrete.comLas Vegas Convention Center
1/22/2014 1/24/2014 Tropical Plant Industry Exhibition Fort Lauderdale, Fla. www.fngla.org/TPIE/Broward County Convention Center
1/23/2014 1/24/2014 Chicago Roofing Contractors Assn. Oakbrook Terrace, Ill www.crca.org/crca_events/trade.htmDrury Lane Conference Center
1/29/2014 1/30/2014 Landscape Industry Show Los Angeles, Calif. http://clca.org/lis/index.phpLos Angeles Convention Center
2/4/2014 2/6/2014 National Assoc. of Home Builders Las Vegas, Nev. www.buildersshow.com/Home/Las Vegas Convention Center
2/6/2014 2/8/2014 National Concrete Masonry Assoc. Palm Springs, Calif. www.ncma.org/events/Pages/ICONXChange.aspxWestin Mission Hills Resort
2/13/2014 2/15/2014 National Precast Concrete Assoc. Houston, Texas, Hilton Americas http://precast.org/theprecastshow/
3/4/2014 3/6/2014 NESEA Building Energy Conference Boston, Mass. http://www.nesea.org/ai1ec_event/buildingenergySeaport World Trade Center -14/?instance_id=353
3/18/2014 3/19/2014 Green Cities - Australia Melbourne, Australia www.greencities.org.auGrand Hyatt Melbourne
3/19/2014 3/23/2014 San Francisco Flower & San Mateo, Calif. www.sfgardenshow.comGarden Show San Mateo Event Center
5/16/2014 5/18/2014 Roof India Chennai, India, Chennai Trade Centre http://roofindia.com/
6/8/2014 6/11/2014 Western Roofing Expo –0 2014 Las Vegas, Nev. www.wsrca.com/Paris Las Vegas Hotel & Casino
3/17/2015 3/19/2015 World of Asphalt/Aggregates Forum Baltimore, Md. www.worldofasphalt.com/about/(Biennial — 2015) Baltimore Convention Center
Selected Upcoming Trade Shows and Meetings