The Effects of Groundnut Shell Addition on The Insulating Properties of Clay Samples From Kogi State Nigeria

Clay samples from three towns in Kogi state were examined with the aim of determining their chemical composition as well as testing for their suitability as refractory insulating materials for local furnaces. Refractories are required for many other industries in Nigeria like in chemical, ceramic, petrochemical, oil,foundry and iron and steel industries. The presence of air in these pores reduces the conductive capacity of the refractories and therefore increasing their insulating characteristics. Apart from the natural occurring fire clays which has been adjudged an insulating refractories, other clays can have their insulating characteristics improved by the addition of materials like saw dust, rice husks and other farm wastes. Experiments were carried out to determine how the addition of groundnut shell could improve the refractory properties of clay samples from Kogi State. The experiments were carried out on the four mechanical properties that enhance the insulating properties of clay which are linear shrinkage, thermal conductivity, apparent porosity and solid density .The results showed significant improvement in these properties