Minéralogie et propriétés physico-chimiques des smectites de Bana et Sabga (Cameroun). Utilisation dans la décoloration d'une huile végétale alimentaire

In this study, clay samples were collected in the localities of Bana and Sabga, in the regions of the west and north-west Cameroon, respectively. The purpose of this study was to determine their mineralogical composition, their physico-chemical properties and to assess their potential use in the bleaching process of palm oil, which is the main edible vegetable oil produced and refined in Cameroon.
<br /> The results obtained from the analyses (XRD, FTIR, DTA / TGA and SEM) revealed that montmorillonite is the main clay mineral in these materials. It is associated with kaolinite and mica. Non-clay minerals such as quartz, anatase, cristobalite, K-feldspar and heulandite are also identified in variable quantities. Chemical analyses of the major elements show that the clays from Bana and Sabga consist mainly of the follow oxides such as SiO2, Al2O3 and Fe2O3. Bana clays have a cation exchange capacity (CEC) between 50 and 60 meq/100 g and a specific surface area between 50 and 60 m2/ g. Sabga clays have a lower capacity cation exchange (38- 46 meq/100 g) and a wider range of specific surface area (33-90 m2 / g). The characterization of the natural clays allowed to select of one sample by locality for sulfuric acid treatment.
<br />The acid treatment of these materials led to structural, morphological and textural changes. Analysis by X-ray diffraction showed a progressive decrease in the intensity of the (001) reflection of montmorillonite and a shift of its basal d001-value. Treatment with more acid concentration causes an increase in the surface area of the obtained products and a decrease in cation exchange capacity.
<br />The assessment of the bleaching power of natural and acid-activated Bana clay in palm oil decolorization shows that the activated clay has a high bleaching capacity (~ 87%) compared to the natural clay (~ 55%). palm oil Bleaching by these clay materials does not deteriorate the bleached oil. These materials can thus be used as bleaching earths in the refining oil process.