Investigations on Selected Indian Kaolins for their Possible Value Addition

Kaolins from Kerala, Orissa, Rajasthan and West Bengal states (designated as KK, OK, RK and WK respectively) were studied for their possible value addition. Size classifica-tion followed by physical, chemical and mineralogical characterization of the ROM clays and various size fract-ions were carried out. All the four samples are found to be kaolinitic with quartz as the major impurity. Small quantity of mica is present in RK and WK whereas pyrite is found in OK Size classification increases the % of <2pm particles and kaolinite content. Conventional hydros blea-ching improved the optical properties only marginally whereas dithionite-citrate-bicarbonate ( DCB) treatment considerably enhanced the same. Significant reduction in Fe content and improvement in optical properties on DCB treatment indicate the presence of 'free iron" as oxides, hydroxides, sulphides etc. in KK, OK and WK where as in RK iron is "structural", in kaolinite and / or in the micaceous mineral. The investigation shows that even after size classification, impurity minerals remain in the products indicating their ultra fine size. Hence, value addition is possible (more in KK, OK and WK and less in RK) by removing the iron impurities using special techni-ques such as high gradient magnetic separation, ultra flotation etc. Selected samples were calcined at 1100 °C and the optical properties of the calcined samples did not show much improvement

Development of a Beneficiation Flow Sheet for Processing Silica Sand from Chertala Area of kerala

The silica sand from Chertala area of Alappuzha district has been reported to be of good quality. Presently, it is mined and transported to destinations inside and outside the State without any processing. A project on beneficiat-ion/ value addition of this sand was taken up as per the request from Directorate of Industries and Commerce, Govt. of Kerala. Objective of the project is to develop a flow sheet for the total utilization of all fractions of this sand. The aim is to value add the same to produce special grade glass making sand according to BIS specifications (IS:488-1980), a suitable fraction for foundry application as per 1S:3018- 1977 and also to recover the finer fractions of sand and heavy minerals which are below 180,um and consti-tutes about 14% by weight. However, only the first two objectives are covered in the present work

Evaluation for the beneficiability of silica sands from Cherthala area of Alappuzha district, Kerala, India.

1596-1606In the present study, representative raw sand samples from Panambukattuveli Mines and Hyma Mines situated in the coastal tract of Vembanattu backwaters in Kerala state of India were selected. Since both the samples are found to have similar chemical properties, they were blended in equal weight basis for preparing the representative feed sample. Blended sand (feed) sample analysed 96.5% SiO2 and ancillary impurity minerals were assayed as 0.327% Fe2O3, 0.50% TiO2 and 2.101% of Al2O3. XRD pattern showed the presence of high percentage of silica. Beneficiation of the sand samples by employing techniques such as screening, attrition and wet high intensity magnetic separation is found to produces ‘special grade glass making sand’ as the principal product. Optional principal product produced during the process is ‘Grade I glass sand’ and ‘foundry sand’. By products of beneficiation are ‘coarse grit of above 600µm’ which can find use as landfill, a ‘heavy mineral concentrate’ which can be added to the second stage feed stock of a beach sand mineral processing plant and finally a ‘fine sand’ of below 180µm which after milling can be use for investment casting. Thus almost all the fractions can be made use of

Not Available

Not AvailableThe present study analyses the changing pattern of marine product exports from India to seven regions/ countries such as Japan, USA, European Union (E.U), China, South East Asia (SEA), Middle East and others, during two decades from 1995 to 2015. The average growth rate of marine seafood export in relation to quantity and value for the two decades was 6.78 and 12.5% respectively. Frozen shrimp export quantity had nearly 40% share in the total export basket. Instability in value was higher than the quantity of export, out of which frozen shrimp price instability was nearly 60%. Using Markov Chain Analysis, it was observed that European Union was having higher probability of retention compared to the other regions. In the first decade Japan was the major importer with higher probability of retention which reduced from 0.91 to 0.56 during the second decade with a gain by European Union in the same decade.Not Availabl

Not Available

Not AvailableThe Vembanadlake is the longest lake in India and also the largest wetland ecosystem in Kerala recognized as a Ramsarwetland site. The lake meanders through three districts of the state, Alappuzha, Ernakulum and Kottayam. It has been a source of livelihood to the population living alongside the wetland ecosystem. The economic activity carried in and around the backwater includes fishing, shrimp farming, clam picking, rice cultivation, duck rearing and livelihoods related to recreation like etc. Backwater tourism is a major revenue generation activity for the community by means of house boats, motor boats, shikara boat, speed boat etc. Around 1480 boats were operational in the Vembanadlake which are registered under the Department of Ports, Government of Kerala. The increase in boats is due to increase in the arrival of both foreign and domestic tourists, the increase of which over the past decade has risen by 11.69% and 7.07% respectively. In the year 2018, foreign and domestic tourists who visited the Vembanad in the three districts (Alappuzha, Ernakulum and Kottayam) was approximately 0.63 and 4.48 million respectively. This paper aimed at measuring the recreation benefits obtained by tourists visiting the Vembanadlake (and the wetland ecosystem) using travel cost approach. The model considers number of visit made by the individual per annum as the dependent variable is and several independent variables such as cost of travel, family income, age, family size, time spent and quality of the backwater. The analysis was carried out using trip generating function. The results reveal that, the total recreational value of Vembanad backwater was 363 billion INR. The potential value of the ecosystem necessitates sustainable management and conservation of the lake and the backwater ecosystem, which is being affected by increasing pollution as a result of, ironically, increasing tourist activities.Not Availabl

Not Available

Not AvailableThe traditional Chinese dip net is symbolic of Kerala and is a major tourist attraction. These nets are operated along the banks of the lakes in the state, especially the Vembanad lake. It is categorized into three type i.e. big, medium and small. The economic value generated by the Chinese dip nets operated in the Vembanad lake was estimated using market price approach. The willingness-to-pay (WTP) is taken to be equal to market price of fish and shrimp catch and this was used as an indicator of the true value of a resource. The estimation of economic value generated from the Chinese dip net operations in Vembanad lake was about Rs.32.98 crores per annum, which gives livelihood to approximately around 4500 family beneficiaries.Not Availabl