scholarly journals Suitability of the Carbonate Rocks of the Bekhme Formation for Cement Industry, Hareer Mountain, North Iraq, Kurdistan Region

2021 ◽  
Vol 54 (2C) ◽  
pp. 59-67
Author(s):  
Varoujan K. Sissakian

The main lithological composition of different formations in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region is the carbonate rocks; some of those rocks are suitable for cement production; such as Qamchuqa Bekhme, Sinjar, Pila Spi and Anah formations. However, the six existing cement plants in are using limestone beds, five of those plants are using limestone from the Sinjar Formation, and one plant is using limestone from the Anah Formation. Recently, performed research works confirmed that the limestone beds within the Qamchuqa, Bekhme and Pila Spi formations are very suitable for cement production. The current research work deals with studying the exposed limestone beds within the Bekhme Formation at Hareer Mountain in the central part of IKR to check their suitability for the cement industry. Accordingly, we collected 12 rock samples from a section within the Bekhme Formation at an almost constant sampling interval (5 m); however, for two samples the sampling interval was 6 and 8 m (sample No. 2 and 12, respectively). Each sample represents a channel sample for the concerned sampling interval to be representative for the thickness of the sampled interval. The total thickness of the sampled section is 64 m with a covered interval of 30 m, totaling up to 94 m. The collected 12 samples were prepared at the laboratory of the University of Kurdistan Hewler and were subjected to XRF test at Mass Cement Plant (Sulaimaniyah) to check the concentration of certain oxides that are used in the Iraqi Standard for cement production. The acquired concentrations of the main oxides (CaO, MgO, Al2O3, Fe2O3, Na2O, K2O, SO3), and Cl and L.O.I. at each sample were changed to weighted averages and the results were compared with the Iraqi standards for cement industry. The result was the sampled rocks are excellent for cement production.

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 24-30
Author(s):  
Varoujan K. Sissakian ◽  
Mohammed J. Hamawandy ◽  
Rahel K. Ibrahim

The Pila Spi Formation is one of the prominent formations forming continuous ridges in Kurdistan Region. The thickness of the formation ranges from 15 to 110 m, consisting of well-bedded limestone, dolomite, dolomitic limestone, and very rare marl beds. The study area is located about 15 km east of Koya town, next to the abandoned tunnel through a deeply cut valley which has exposed 50 m of the formation. However, the uppermost part of the exposed section may belong to one of the Oligocene formations of Kirkuk Group. The study area was selected within the Pila Spi Formation because the rocks of the same formation and along the same ridge, about 45 km west of the study area showed encouraging results for cement industry. The average CaO is about 51%, whereas the average MgO is 1.8%. Therefore, eight samples were collected at constant thickness from the exposed section. The samples were subjected to X-ray fluorescence (XRF) test to indicate the main oxides in the sampled section. The acquired results from the XRF tests showed that the chemical composition of the exposed rocks within the Pila Spi Formation is suitable for cement industry, also for paper and paint but needs some treatment. Accordingly, another eight samples were collected from the same section to increase the density of sampling, totaling to 16 samples.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Varoujan K. Sissakian ◽  
Dalyia A. Hamoodi ◽  
Hassan O. Omer ◽  
Sazan A. Nyazi

The Pila Spi Formation is exposed in Permam Mountain forming its carapace, and continuous ridges for few hundreds of kilometers. The rocks of the formation are mainly dolomitic limestone, dolomite, and limestone with various proportions. The thickness of the formation in Permam Mountain is about 100 m. Nine samples are collected from the Pila Spi Formation along a recently road cut across Permam Mountain. The sampling interval varies from 10 to 15 m. The collected samples were subjected to X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy test to indicate the percentages of the main oxides in the samples. The results showed that the chemical composition of samples No. 1 and 9 meet the Iraqi standards for cement industry, whereas the remaining samples (Nos. 2–8) do not meet the Iraqi standards, and their total thickness is 80 m. To evaluate the suitability of the exposed rocks for cement industry in the sampled section within the Pila Spi Formation, different ratios of sample No. 1 were mixed with different ratios of a sample called sample No. A, it represents a mixture of samples No. 2–8. The mixing ratios are: (Sample No. 1/sample No. A) 50/50, 60/40, 70/30, 80/20, and 90/10. The same procedure was repeated for Sample No. 9. Another attempt was performed by mixing equal ratios of samples Nos. 1 and 9 with the same performed ratios with sample No. A.The chemical compositions of the samples were indicated using XRF test. The results showed that the best mixing ratios for the cement industry are 90:10, 80:20, and 70: 30 (samples Nos. 1+9: sample No. A).


2004 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 10
Author(s):  
Σ. Ηλιάδου ◽  
Α. Τσιραμπίδης ◽  
Α. Κασώλη-Φουρναράκη ◽  
Κ. Μιχαηλίδης

According to the microscopic examination of thin sections, the examined carbonate rocks are classified in two categories: a. Typical marbles and b. Recrystallised limestones. Category b is distinguished in two sub-categories: Micrites (b1) and sparites (b2). Calcite is the predominant mineral in almost all samples, whereas only in one sample there is a considerable quantity of dolomite. From the unessential minerals quartz, plagioclastes, talc, muscovite and chlorite were identified in traces. It's concluded that nine samples are very pure carbonate rocks and consist of >96% CaC03. The sum of the admixtures, that is all the oxides except for CaO and CO2, ranges from 1,6 to 8,7%, from which the most important is the S1O2 (0,5-6,7%), mainly in the form of quartz and the MgO (0,3-3,6%). The increased participation of Ni2+, Co2+, Rb+ and Zn2 + in relation to the worldwide average, could be attributed to the presence of foreign admixtures which occur in the examined carbonate rocks. The limited participation of Sr2* could be attributed to the absence of feldspars from these carbonate rocks. The mean value of the insoluble residue is 3,1%. The mean value of the included organic matter is 0,3%. Testing the degree of the whiteness it comes out that only one sample is almost absolutely white. Two samples are in the spectrum of the orange color, whereas the hues of six samples are in the spectrum of orange-yellow color. According to the chemical composition of the samples it is concluded that:• The samples from all the formations can be used for aggregates, because with the suitable breaking they can reach the requisite size for every use.• The samples from all the formations can be suitable feedstock for soil conditioners, after suitable grinding, in order to take grain sizes <5 mm, because their content in MgO is < 5%.• The samples from all the formations are considered to be ideal as feedstock in the cement industry, as long as the concentration of fluorine in them is < 0,1%.• The examined formations can be partly used into other industrial sections. However, supplementary specialized tests are needed.


2004 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 80
Author(s):  
C. Dagounaki ◽  
C. Sikalidis ◽  
A. Kassoli-Fournaraki ◽  
A. Tsirambides

The suitability of Kozani's broader area carbonate rocks for use in cement production and as aggregates, is studied in terms of their mineralogical, chemical and mechanical characteristics. The studied carbonate rocks belong to the Pelagonian zone and are represented mainly by pure limestones with subordinate dolomites and dolomitic limestones. Examination concerning their insoluble residue, organic matter and milling behavior, together with their mineralogical and chemical composition showed that all carbonate formations of Kozani's broader area, except the dolomitic ones, fulfill the requirements for use as raw material in the cement industry and all the carbonate formations meet the specifications for their use as aggregates in various constructions.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 62-71
Author(s):  
Varoujan Sissakian ◽  
Ala Ghafur ◽  
Sarhang Omer ◽  
Dyar Khalil

The Qamchuqa Formation is widely exposed in Kurdistan Region (IKR); north of Iraq. The formation along with the Bekhme Formation form the bulk of the main mountains (anticlines) in the IKR. Among those anticlines is the Ranya anticline, which has a NW – SE trend, where the Qamchuqa Formations has a thickness of about 700 m. The main lithological facies of the formation are limestone, dolomitic limestone and dolomite. We have sampled the uppermost 89 meters of the northeastern limb, by collecting 10 samples of different sampling intervals that range from (3 – 12) m. The ten rock samples were tested by an XRF to measure the concentration of the oxides at each sample. The XRF results showed that the 10 rock samples are limestone with different percentages of oxides. The weighted averages of the oxides in the collected samples have been calculated, and the results showed that the limestone beds along the studied section in the upper part of the Qamchuqa Formations are suitable for the cement industry. The average concentration of CaO and MgO is 55.13 % and 0.26 %, respectively.


Author(s):  
Tat'yana V. Baranova ◽  

The present article is dedicated to the problems of the organization and planning of scientific and research work of students of the University in English classes, gives grounds for the purposes and tasks of such competence-forming activity as part of the “Oriental studies” speciality program, the Russian State University for the Humanities. The article analyzes these competences, as well as forms and methods of their formation and development. The author presents demarcation of scientific knowledge and gives its characteristics: using most general qualities of a subject, objective reasoning, argumentativeness, results verifiability and reproducibility, consistency, practicality, capability to change, anticipating the future, making forecasts, methodological reflection. The author tried to analyze the reflexive component of scientific and research work of students in more detail. The article presents possible reflexive positions in the interaction between the teacher and the student and shows the dynamics of this interaction, i.e. gives a hierarchy of positions which the student can occupy in the educational process depending on how independent they are in their activity. The article also highlights the content of scientific and research work of students of the University in English classes on the basis of work with foreign texts in the macro-discourse for the “Oriental studies” speciality. The given foundations of the organization and content of scientific and research work of students have been regularly used in English language classes, as well as in optional forms of scientific activity. The students have shown good results and passion for this kind of work, which confirms the correctness of this approach.


Impact ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 (3) ◽  
pp. 6-8
Author(s):  
Kazuo Watanabe

The burgeoning area of plant genetics may hold the key to overcoming some of the most pressing environmental challenges. For example, crops can be genetically improved to make them better able to adapt to climate change, while genetic engineering of crops could help to address food security challenges. As such, a comprehensive understanding of plant genetics may enable humankind to make headway in addressing climate change and resulting challenges. Research in this area is therefore paramount. Research work undertaken in the Plant Transgenic Design Initiative (PTraD) in the Gene Research Center (GRC) within Tsukuba Plant Innovation Research Center (T-PIRC), located at the University of Tsukuba in Japan, is focused on plant sciences and biotechnologies. The PTraD is the centre of excellence in plant biotechnology research in Japan, shedding light on plant genetics and how this can be harnessed to solve environmental challenges such as climate change.


1968 ◽  
Vol 11 (03) ◽  
pp. 314-315
Author(s):  
Merrick Posnansky

In October 1968, the University of Ghana commenced an extensive program in African archaeology. Graduate students from overseas are eligible to enroll for courses at the University, though no scholarships are presently available for non-Ghanaians. The Department of Archaeology of the University of Ghana was established in 1951 under the professorship of A. W. Lawrence. It presently has a senior teaching establishment of four together with a curator and two senior research fellows under the chairmanship of Professor Merrick Posnansky. The Department has a small specialist library, a museum, laboratory, dark room, workshops, and a team of trained technical staff. Most of the Department's research work is normally conducted in the dry season from November to May each year. In the past Professor Oliver Davies, author of the Quaternary of the Guinea Coast (1964) and West Africa before the Europeans (1967), conducted extensive fieldwork relating to the Stone Age and neolithic periods of Ghana's past and made large surface collections from all parts of Ghana which provide a rich topographical source of information on archaeology in Ghana. The Department has conducted extensive excavations in Ghana and its research fellows are presently engaged in writing up the results of the Volta Basin Research Project, in which more than thirty sites have been excavated since 1963 in advance of the formation of a large lake consequent upon the construction of the Volta Dam. The majority of the excavated sites have been of Iron Age date. In September 1968, Mr. C. Flight commenced a new season of excavations at “Neolithic” rock shelter sites at Kintampo, where occupations and burials dated to the middle of the second millennium B.C. were uncovered in 1967. Other excavations conducted during 1968 included work by Mr. D. Calvocoressi at the funerary terracotta site of Ahinsan and by Mr. Duncan Mathewson at the seventeenth-century A.D. Gonja site of Jakpasere. In 1969 a training excavation will be conducted at Elmina on the sixteenth- to eighteenth-century A.D. town in the vicinity of the Portuguese castle.


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