Abstract
The electrohydraulic method of natural diatomite enrichment based on separation of the clay component under the influence of plasma energy arising at a short electric discharge is applied for the first time. Special computer technology is developed for the first time, using the portable navigator Montana series 600 by Garmin, Google Earth and Garmin Base Camp programs to make a contour and area of diatomaceous rocks on Zhalpak territory. Comprehensive study of enriched diatomite using spectral, microscopic, X-ray diffractometric, silicate (chemical), elemental and thermal methods of analysis were carried out. Independent methods of analysis show almost identical results for the degree of diatomite enrichment with silicon oxide (SiO2), being in the range of 78÷81.8%. Based on the results of spectral analysis it can be concluded that the electrohydraulic method is very effective in cleaning diatomite from calcium (CaO) and sulfur (SO3) oxides to the level of 0.21% and 0.18% respectively.