BARITE PREVENTS BLOWOUTS, ABSORBS NUCLEAR EMISSION.

BARITE PREVENTS BLOWOUTS, ABSORBS NUCLEAR EMISSION.  

By: Jum’an

Bentonite clay as I wrote in my previous blog, has various uses and applications due to its unique swelling ability, colloidal size particles and thyxotrophic properties. Every mineral have their own specifics that renders their own field of applications. Barite or barium sulphate- has unique properties that define a wide range of industrial uses. It has high specific gravity, chemically inert and insoluble, low hardness (not abrasive) and ability to absorb X-rays. As a non metallic mineral, a density of 4, 2-4.5 g/cm3 is exceptional. These characteristics have made barite suitable for a wide range of industrial, medical and manufacturing applications.

About 80% world production of barite is used as weighting material in the formulation of drilling fluids.  Barite increases the hydrostatic pressure of the drilling fluids allowing it to compensate for high-pressure zones experienced during drilling and prevent blowouts. The softness of barite (3-3.5 on Moh's scale) makes it less abrasive and less damaging drilling tools during drilling. Another benefit of barite is that it is non-magnetic and thus does not interfere with magnetic measurements taken in the borehole. Substitutes for barite in drilling fluids include: ilmenite, hematite and galena. But none of these substitutes is effective at replacing barite in the market. They are too expensive or do not perform competitively. Specifications of barite for drilling mud purposes are established by the American Petroleum Institute (API).

Oil Well Blowout

Another unique feature of barite is its ability to strongly absorb X-rays and gamma rays. It is applied in diagnostic medical tests on the intestines and colon. If a patient drinks a small cup of liquid containing barite powder in a milkshake consistency (barium meal), the liquid will coat the patient's esophagus. An x-ray of the throat taken immediately after the "barium swallow" will image the soft tissue of the esophagus (which is usually transparent to x-rays) because the barium is opaque to x-rays and blocks their passage. This ability to absorb X-rays, barite is also used to make high-density concrete to block x-ray emissions in hospitals, power plants, laboratories and nuclear reactors. In addition, barite is the cheapest protective material in the construction of "burial grounds" and reactors in nuclear power industry.

Nuclear  Waste Burial 

Additional uses of barite include as filler in the manufacture of linoleum, oilcloth, paper and textile manufacturing, rubber, and plastics, brake linings, paint and sound-deadening material in cars. For those who love crystal healing, barite crystal is said as excellent in balancing the brain chemistry, assists with memory and information retention. It strengthens inner vision and is a strong stone to enhance dream recall.