Perlite Today - Spring 2023

PERLITE A QU AR T E R LY P U B L I C ATI O N O F TH E PER L I TE I NS TI TU TE

TODAY

S PR I N G 2 0 2 3

Message from the President

by Jake Hess It was so nice to finally get to interact in person with so many of you last year, and I am looking forward to our 2023 Annual Meeting in Athens, Greece in September.

We are still in the process of planning the logistics of visiting Imerys on the beautiful Island of Milos while we are there. As soon as we work out those details, we will let you know the exact meeting dates. In the meantime, mark your calendars for September, either September 17 – 21 or 22. We will provide an update as soon as arrangements are finalized. Save the date! You won't want to miss this meeting!

I feel it is important to talk about another great membership resource, as well as the incredible members who have put in countless hours to update and improve Perlite Institute resources for the benefit of all members. Our resource library is a phenomenal member benefit provided by the Institute. Members can use the brochures for their own education, as well as share it with their customers. There are over 80 information-packed brochures to use on topics including: industrial applications, horticulture, filtration, environmental, sustainability, construction, and insulation. These brochures are educational in nature and range from general information about perlite to technical facts and applications.

If questions are more specific than what is covered in the brochures, members and the public can also reach out to our technical consultants… another great Perlite Institute benefit! Chuck Vogelsang and Panagiotis Angelopoulos can be contacted through the Technical Inquiries section on the Contact page of the Perlite Institute website.

Hess Perlite has benefitted many times over the years, as we have been able to provide customers with added information through these brochures.

There have even been times when we have been able to reach even deeper into membership resources to access years of expertise, knowledge, and experience from the Perlite Institute’s consultants. I hope all our members are aware of these benefits, and I encourage you, if you aren’t taking advantage of these resources, to please give it a try.

At Hess Perlite, we personally feel it is a tremendous benefit of our membership.

I wanted to give a huge shoutout to all the amazing work all the different committees are accomplishing together with the brochure committee to produce and update several brochures each year. I encourage you to get involved with these committees and share your thoughts and ideas with Brochure Committee Chair Alan Kiraly for future brochures.

He can be reached at alan@supremeperlite.com.

I look forward to becoming more engaged in all the committee work this year. Thank you to all the members currently serving on our respective committees. Your time, effort and knowledge are appreciated. The Perlite Institute is always in need of volunteers for our committees so please reach out to offer your services.

Best Regards, Jake

THE P E R LITE I N S T I T U T E ’ S C O R E VAL U E S :

Integrity is Our Guiding Principle

Volunteering is the Best Form of Leadership

Collaboration Generates Better Ideas

1

P ER LITE TO D AY – SP RI N G 2 0 2 3

PERLITE TODAY

is a quarterly publication of the

PERLITE INSTITUTE, INC. 2207 Forest Hills Drive Harrisburg, PA 17112 USA Phone: 717.238.9723 Fax: 717.238.9985

www.perlite.org

Perlite Today is published electronically four times per year.

The mission of the Perlite Institute is to further the success and growth of the perlite industry worldwide by providing its members networking opportunities, education and research; foster customer-driven marketing, promotion and product development; and increase the public’s awareness and knowledge of perlite and its current and potential uses.

2

2023 Board of Directors Jake Hess

Israel Ferreres

Alan Kiraly

Keith Hoople

Vice President Supreme Perlite 4600 N. Suttle Road Portland, OR 97217 Phone: (503) 286‐4333 alan@supremeperlite.com

Past President Midwest Perlite, Inc. 4280 West Parkway Blvd.

Appleton, WI 54913 Phone: (920) 731‐2671 keith@midwestperlite.com

Reema Bolokbaeva

Jannick Knudsen

Linda Chirico

Bridget Sheehy Tipton

Carolina Perlite Company PO Box 158 Gold Hill, NC 28071 Phone: (704) 279-2325 lchirico@carolinaperlite.com

Whittemore Company 681 East 5th Street, Unit 1 Boston, MA 02127 Phone: (978) 815-6420 bsheehy@whittemoreco.com

Michael Dunlavey

Edgar Valmana Velazquez

President Hess Perlite 100 Hess Drive Malad City, ID 83252 Phone: (208) 766‐4777 jake@hesspumice.com

Gulf Perlite, LLC Techno Park, PO 263275 Jebel Ali, Dubai, UAE Phone: +971 (0)56 6080223 admin@uaeperlite.com

P.V.P. Industries PO Box 129 North Bloomfield, OH 44450 Phone: (440) 685-4701 mike@pvpind.com

Matt Goecker

Nordisk Perlite Hammersholt Erhvervspark 1-5 Hillerod, DK 3400 Phone: 0045 7878 9515 jannick@nordiskperlite.dk

Termolita Callejon del Marmol 201 Zona Industrial Santa Catarina, NL 66364 Phone: +52 8181510480 evalmana@termolita.com

Dicalite Management Group 1 Belmont Avenue, Suite 500 Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004 Phone: (775) 287‐9796 mgoecker@dicalite.com

THE P E R LITE I N S T I T U T E ’ S C O R E VAL U E S :

Integrity is Our Guiding Principle

Treasurer Ausperl 177 Balmes Street Barcelona, Spain 08006 +34 633 066 006 israel@ausperl.com

Volunteering is the Best Form of Leadership

Collaboration Generates Better Ideas

P ERL IT E T O D AY – S PRING 2023

SAVE THE DATE Athens, Greece September 17-21 or 22, 2023*

*We are in the process of planning the logistics of visiting Imerys on the beautiful Island of Milos. We will be ending the meeting either on September 21 or 22 and will provide an update as soon as arrangements are in place.

THE P E R LITE I N S T I T U T E ’ S C O R E VAL U E S :

Integrity is Our Guiding Principle

Volunteering is the Best Form of Leadership

Collaboration Generates Better Ideas

3

P ER LITE TO D AY – SP RI N G 2 0 2 3

Message from the Executive Director

by Denise R. Calabrese, CAE

Now is the Time for Engaging!

Just like other businesses, customer engagement is key to the success of the Perlite Institute.

But, what does that mean? How can the Perlite Institute engage its customers on a regular basis to communicate the value of membership?

The Perlite Institute’s customers are its members and membership is at the business level. People make up those businesses and our customers include both the business owners and the individuals who work for those member companies. So, how do we reach out to everyone to communicate the value of membership? Let’s look at a couple of ways we try to do that: 1. Each member company can list

3. Committee involvement is open to all who work for member

1 three contacts who can receive

information about the Perlite Institute.

These individuals receive regular communications from the Institute via email, including this newsletter, invitations to educational events, and important news and information.

2. Member companies can send as many people as they want to the annual meeting. (We do understand there is a cost to do so; however, there is no limit to the number of people who are able to attend.) At that meeting, members can learn more about the Perlite Institute and its activities including committee work being conducted, research being funded, and leadership activity.

2

3 companies! In fact, committees will accept those with an

interest in that committee’s activity and are looking for more people to volunteer. Serving on committees provides the opportunity to not only learn more about that particular area of the Perlite Institute, but also network with other members you may not know.

4. The Perlite Institute engages the services of two technical

4 consultants who are available to answer questions received

from members and from the general public. Have you received a question and are not sure how to answer? As a member of the Perlite Institute, you have access to those consultants!

You can either direct inquiries to them through the website here or you can refer the individual making the inquiry to visit the website and ask their question directly. If YOU have a question for the consultants, you have direct access to them as well! Simply email them at techadvice@perlite.org or techconsult@perlite.org and both Chuck and Panos will receive your questions and help you with an answer.

These are just three examples of how your company – and the individuals who make up that company – can engage with the Perlite Institute. Have you considered getting involved? Do you read the newsletter when you receive it? Do you forward the newsletter on to colleagues so they have the benefit of reading news from the Perlite Institute? Have you used the services of our consultants?

The Perlite Institute can only share how you can make the most of your membership. It then is up to you to engage with the organization! We hope you will consider engaging with us and making the most of your membership. The time is NOW!

4

THE P E R LITE I N S T I T U T E ’ S C O R E VAL U E S :

Integrity is Our Guiding Principle

Volunteering is the Best Form of Leadership

Collaboration Generates Better Ideas

P ERL IT E T O D AY – S PRING 2023

Perlite Institute Mourns the Loss of Two Long-time Members and Industry Leaders In Memory of Paul G. Dunlavey (1941 – 2022) It is with deep regret that we announce the death of Perlite Institute member, Paul Dunlavey. Paul passed away on Monday, November 28, 2022. He was 80 years old. He was a valued member of our Perlite Institute community, and he will be greatly missed.

Paul was President and Founding Owner of P.V.P. Industries, North Bloomfield, Ohio. He was a fervent supporter of the Perlite Institute. Paul served on the Board of Directors for many years, most recently as Treasurer of the organization. Until recently, he attended meetings every year; and he always enjoyed seeing his friends and colleagues from around the world.

“I will always remember Paul’s laugh and smile,” said Perlite Institute Executive Director Denise Calabrese, CAE. “He lit up a room when he arrived and was always happy to see you! Paul also had a strong financial mind and served the Perlite Institute well as its Treasurer on the Board of Directors. Under Paul’s leadership, we created an investment policy for the organization that the board continues to use. Paul and his wife, Diann, attended meetings of the Perlite Institute each year and many times brought their family members with them. Paul was so willing to share information that he invited the Perlite Institute to hold a tour of his facility for the members attending the meeting in Ohio. Paul will be missed.”

We all extend our heartfelt sympathy to Paul’s family and all who loved him. Click here to read his obituary.

In Memory of Niels Knudsen (1944 – 2023) We are also sorry to announce the death of long-time Perlite Institute member, Niels Knudsen. Niels passed away on March 11, 2023 after a long illness.

Niels was founder of Nordisk Perlite ApS. He was an active member and great supporter of the Perlite Institute. Niels sat on the Board of Directors and attended annual meetings. In 2004, he was the distinguished recipient of the Perlite Institute's Lewis Lloyd Award.

Niels will be especially remembered by employees, customers, and colleagues in the industry for his enormous passion and knowledge of perlite and its production. Frank Petterson of Supreme Perlite shared his fond memories of Niels, “Because we were in the same business, we were friends; and because we appreciated each other’s perspectives, we were even better friends.

Many times, Niels brought his family with him to the meetings, so we saw his boys grow to young adults; and he passed on his leadership position to one of them. Our daughters very infrequently joined in with the perlite meetings, but both have husbands who are in the thick of it (perlite) now. So, both our families represent relatively small business concerns, but represent the best of small business… something to be very proud of. We all will miss Niels and will cherish memories we created together.”

Niels is survived by his wife, Anne; three children, Pia, Victor and Jannick; as well as three grandchildren.

THE P E R LITE I N S T I T U T E ’ S C O R E VAL U E S :

Integrity is Our Guiding Principle

Volunteering is the Best Form of Leadership

Collaboration Generates Better Ideas

5

P ER LITE TO D AY – SP RI N G 2 0 2 3

Perlite Institute Publishes New Technical Guides Timely, relevant, and accurate information makes it easier for businesses to grow and prosper. Perlite Institute members have access to vital industry information through complimentary technical guides in our online library. Members also have access to the Perlite Institute's studies and research in the members only section of the website. This material helps you grow your business and supports our collective knowledge about perlite and its uses.

“Perlite Institute members and technical consultants work collaboratively to develop these key resources,” explains Alan Kiraly, who chairs the Perlite Institute Brochure Committee. The work of the committee is presented in a "technical guide" format that is intended to serve as a resource and educational tool for both industry professionals and the general public.

The Perlite Institute is committed to serving as a resource on perlite and leading the industry forward in promoting its use.

P E R L I T E F I LT E R A I

Beer Filtration

Three new technical brochures were recently posted to the Perlite Institute website.

Perlite Filter Aid: Beer Filtration

presents basic aspects of beer filtration using filter aids, and the advantages of using perlite as a filter aid. It is superior to other alternatives due to its purity and the elimination of risk from contamination by heavy metals, its low density and consequent reduction of filter aid mass, and its widespread availability and general reliability of supply. Click here to read more or download.

Perlite: The Most Su stainable Insulation Solutio n for Buildings

Perlite is one of the most overlooked insul ating materials, espec numerous advantag ially as it offers es over other organic and inorganic insul ation materials.

etallurgy M e v i t c a r t Ex

PERLITE

F I LT E R A

ID:

the ential role in plays an ess lite filter aid Expanded per mining process. er gold and silv applicamany valuable Among the mineral anded perlite, tions of exp for gold specifically ng processing, amo is action, and silver extr nt. In the most orta the most imp hod, gold action met common extr the ore leached from precipitated and silver are e solution then on activated using cyanid or adsorbed arader pow d-liquids sep with zinc process, soli er eith l step to In carbon. s an integra ation provide ection, or tion via filtr cipitates coll pre , very carbon reco tion. tion clarifica offer a critical pregnant solu e with perlite cess. Filter Filter aids mad r filtration pro meable laye e boost to any to form a per t performanc coa pre or as d either as n initiation, atio aids are use filtr re n process. r septum befo the filtratio ing on the filte dur ) r use (or body aids because thei body feeds to the process ety of ways. l additives They are vita ance in a vari ation perform enhances filtr

Photo Courtesy: Supreme Perlite

In an era of growing concern for the impac t that building materials and products have on the environment, the choice of which mater ials to use is increasingly informed by relativ e performance and sustainability metric s. An extensive review of international literat ure and comparativ e technical studies finds that perlite is very much seen as a sustainable, natura l and user-friendly alternative to competing organic and inorganic insula ting materials, like PUR-foam and EPS coming from non-replenishable source s and mineral wools .

Global academic resear ch and official techn ical reviews from certifi ed national bodies argue decisively in favor of perlite as having a minimal Global Warming Poten tial (GWP) and that perlite-

D:

As filtration processes go, beer-making is demanding. Strict standards for clarity, flavor, purity, and bottle-to-bottle uniformity require a high-performance filter aid media.

c fi b p la fi u pa flo se or su cak for bec pre sha oth inte of th solid num resu

The filtration process is an important step to ensuring maintaining uniform qualit the quality of beer because y from bottle to bottle, it helps stabilize beer, and and across the different brewi gives it a polished, clear appea ng locations operated rance, while removing by the same brand. Key ingred elements that might make ients to maintaining it unpalatable. Depth that balance constitute the filtration is widely applie micro bial load, the water d for this purpose, with filter quality, the control of yeast aid media playing a decisi and bacteria content, ve role in processing perfo rclarification, stabilization mance and the quality of and final filtration. The the final product. impor tance of filtration lies in the This document presents basic fact that contamiaspects of beer nants such as particles, crysta filtration using filter aids, ls, treatment residue, and the advantages of using organic aggregates, bacter perlite as a filter aid (PFA) ia and yeast can all risk . PFA is superior to other affecting product quality alternatives due to (i) its and jeopardize the purity and the elimination of beverage’s final taste. risk from contamination Earth (DE) aids; by heavy metals, (ii) its low r tomaceous Filtration is the last major Perlite vs. Dia are functionally like DE filtethe density and consequent and products such as expan step in the beer-making reduc r aids ded polyst tion of eably when yrene filter Perlite filte aid (EPS) mass, extruded polystyrene , interchang process, and follow t trea and (iii) its widespread (XPS), and polyurethan h are used ing bot ed , ferme for subsequen fact ntatio lain in ted availa e foam.

Such chemical produ bilityctsand gener er Aid Exp ugh the expansion of n and maturation. al ustibl ds are not wan Filtaim physicoare highly soli lite and The d in Per ecte comb is thro reliability of supply. ed tedremove solids and stly erent orig contain Volatile Organ creato —mo e been add e, geous i ed perlite, yeast and othercoll havounds ever, the diff filter aid is ic Comp Perliteimpu that expand (VOC ment. How perlite advanta e and oxygen organic and rities— cyanid using milling of litethe ties render that absorption s), are the deteriorate with are per per the ore, left ed re sodium pro In in . lite al and time. whe beer following brew- chemic per a solution Beer Filtration milled exp intole, For agitating examp gold ation oftion lite filter aid olve ing. the sificFiltra lting several the ng ways: perfor Sign dissand ughmanc ifican the clas typica e of cellula range of o s thro ce the followi llypertakes k density, resu ion. A plastic ying just above 0°C tion flow varplace as insula d absorbs ront of Filter Aidstostage,foams ting mater this solu ic air separat in ■ Perlite has 30-50% less bul a given filtration on.isGol s of size, with cyclon not stableren candl vated carbials t to y for e or for ed, in term long-terming acti ducplate filters capacit ntercur over the pro until ationthe Figurech s cou desire mass needed filtr tanks contain (seeon, Both d clarity is grades are As filtration proce EPS andpul whi 1).flow from XPS to optimize 30-50% less [3], [4] p es deteri sses ties rate carb ograd go, per with d ren beer-m achiev ous time pro aking in twosep the isbar 1 inform the activate s. The vari aratestages ofprima tion. the ry technical ed.ofMore ationofon rs assures q .one In the ens main application more demanding the these and other types applica stage ler scre whi perlite supplie 5becau years), air e variety pulp,(unde structures widfiltrat theproce sses a of e network of the outsid it ion it must rlockinsg can thatrates system ■ A wid penet carbon. sefrom meet ed inte thegold channelsin the ded mater CIPein be l supply. insula -loating opicfound ers from high standards for Perlite ial L) theclarity diff rupted loca and utilize the jagg replac r crystalli es the ons of microsc The and uninter ,each cess. ting Leach ,(CI flavor Institutecreate billiure gasCar proinsula and s little to no inside 3). Perlite filte purity bon-in tion ,secon while orp enclos Perlite abs s (Figure ed particles to broch aid contain Filter cell. r ticle and Aid In y h filte the . for par ores ustr Vacuu leac lite risk aid dary stage us m& ■ Per (5 simulta neo the filter onse to gold and of a health ost every ind up), the gases Pressu is ayears in resp between re ed that Filtration. posing less the ardo penetrated ptance in alm ds, ch of intern silica, thus air bubblcess was develop sidered haz too muthe al ids and soli e gained acce es sum CIL pro es are slowlyl that lost con to the outside withocarbon. materia replac ed,tain result ral absorptive ut being ing insuc that con h as natu al shrink , gradu ing of volum ng gold solution e.

The gnantholog premorp ical changcts yield by attracti ultareplac simof ement carbon affe e and the condu on. The low type ofgas carb d Thisctivity withthe vate an overal causes for airacti CIL helps therm instead process lofdecrease in meaalntresista nce of the orption based insulation. g and absfoamhin leac us neo Perli te: The problem. this Safe ze and imi Fully min Natural Material Bothtounexp anded and expanded forms of perlite are fully natural, inert, mineral-based mater ials. No long-term health effects have been linked to perlite mining, processing, or application and installation activities, provided that the prescribed occup ational exposure limits (OEL) and means of using Person Protective Equipment al are observed. For more information, see the releva nt information publis hed by the Perlite Institute.iii

aids hav aration of liqu ing with the sep eral process concerned In the min st es and solids. hs are the mo and even gass aceous eart and diatom sector, perlite filter aids. widely used

tated metals. the precipi h as n separating in filters suc and later whe is first clarified filter cake, allows the nt solution Precoating bility of the The pregna e clarifiers. e the permea t the typ rov ven leaf imp pre tal solution. For help horizon Filter aids emely clear clarity, and one used re extr rs; ely an mo filte wid of ate is two production give the filtr lite filter aid ended to use ned, on the blinding. Per is recomm is being clea as precoat efficiency, it septum from ther which lied either the first providing use, and ano lications, app as soon as which is in in the liquid, in such app based for service y feed insula tion offers these filters properties. and readied /or as bod removed by precoated, (Class The to its unique A1 /soli septum and ds DIN due consis 4102) e tent , anc inorga . and ultra-lightoffline. ed perform thermal perford to tailsnic, is brought weight with enhanc kflushe manc a bulk e over the application mdensity als s range e and are bac is acco of betwe t en 40 Kg/m3 rowe Proces lifecyand 140 Kg/m cle while at the rril 3 cious met are of no valu pre the zinc dus filter time protec 9.0 lb./ft³) e Mesamel-C ation of the (2.5 –feed , also called Expan pumps. and ded perlite has its tures from fire.Th Final filtr low thermaltate owe processting strucfilter The inform rrill-Cr e d method for ation presen ate0.044 ely use The Me and fram the precipi conductivity widhere W/mK (0.023 byBTU/ plat relies and silver is a ted on data compiled , hed the cess plis er pro hr·ft·° Embodied Energy and eith from F) at ected ambient condi range of indeprati entaation cem e is collwith on tfor gold st filters are enden caktions, Mo Embodied Carbon . er t ope international biblio sses an Filt uni R-value e. ient pre of appro e typ Embodied energy ximately graph ies effic 3.0 –3.5 per solution. The ple and focusing on (EE) and embodied can be air recessed plat thehate perfor mance of varioussim plates andinch at a mean ude: carbon (EC) type or the cyanide leac ture of 40betw from insula degeen In a tempera- constitute two important in Filtration F (4the process incl tion very deg C) for mater rrill owethe the of watcter.4.1 mbers le s for examiper time, 3 efficient use of rawreco ons of theials amountprodu de-aeraMeover-Cr – 7.4 in the cha formance of lite’s Rometric (66 – 118 kg/m relative amouPer mater ral filter lb/ft a sub3stan ). It tial tion, vacuum rati ials and waste gener ances the ning the is nt seve ove resista ges: ope of ifica e enh energ rem nt hav clar to y , aid to involv chemi r n gold will ated, ed in manu cal attack, ng advanta and their relative fire-re quid separation blow odorless, pHon, a process ways:ing tated Perlite filte a product. Embo the followi ned followingfactur sistant qualities. filtration of precipi rati neutral and can the clea solid-li ope in died be es energ r aids have ous be 1. can produced to comply ed during ) re and tinu ASTM ve process y accounts for one filter Perlite filte s generat the thati and fineenerg used for extracabo on a (< 270 kg/m3 y so y on C332 l Introduction tion, zinc addition re process is depicted in Figu gnant consseswith call alle carb ting ASTM g all typi of par l and in on, C549. Constructio proce tions r cake density ssing of raw mater remova pre grade enti thus keepin t in operati n ■ Low filte tom applica ■ For the steps, ials, nide, the pre kep expan manu cus cya are cess ded factur to Perlite is a naturally and silver. The perlite ure ers pro ing, red with transportatio replaces chemical insula tiondistrib hed premat . occurring,the n and can be tailo while the oth ore isusleac tors many adsorp ution, rs free from volcanic solids in suspension ■ Grades and final constrthe After siliceo mineral that expan and filte ge n-day cycle. uction or assem ds when heated to remove bly.ens five- to seve redform meability ran Embos.died when heap internal scre y filte per ase to the e is onl of rele a ble e Wid tion froth ■ and tiny glass bubbles of solu of is applica carbon fine removal and easy cak ulp (CIP) Methods entrapped mass air. d separation ant ied out using thicken e cracking on solids and plugging with Carbon-in-P ultra-lightweight mater ■ Less cak Solid-liqui The result half as much ion of carb and Leach (CIL) (as much as ial, referr applied and is carr de-oxygenated in a concentrat aiming at the ■ For the Carbon-in natural affinity for carbon, practice is economical as is then e solution, expanded perlite, is leaching ised to simplytion ■ More me) on Zinc a ial durable, non-c spent cyanid ified solu unit of volu rowe Tower. ing of the carb mon industr Gold also has of additional ers. The clarombustible is needed per as a Merril-C and dewater another com e orption on , wn nid ads very this kno cya by of er reco e gold becaus efficient e solution and inert vacuum tow are solution of n step.

■ Sterile ose , Co, from cyanid the process regeneratio added to the es. A reaction easy to disp (Pt, Cu, Mn gold recovery before the n variants of dust is then handle and , and vibrating tabl other metals on. Two mai ■ Safe to P) method conveyor or step and recovery of out from the activated carb ■ For the -in-Pulp (CI[2] using a belt precipitation precipitated the Carbon filtration. ace of the . ch follow the rein gold is in use today: ion through L) method ed on the surf ensues whe Ni, etc.), whi arat g (CI osit sep hin ch d dep Lea leac qui -intial tion and -gold solid-li the Carbon is the sequen cyanide solu subsequent cess. The zinc Pulp (CIP) ing the CIP entation pro hanically Carbon-infrom ore. Dur zinc—the cem large enough to be mec g tanks tion of gold then ral agitatin then absorp particles are ss.[1] s through seve ral g a filter pre cess, pulp flow place in seve s pro take separated usin n , ve, filtratio nt solution As noted abo ng the pregna when clarifyi stages, both

carbon is the sum of fuel-related carbon emi (i.e. embodied energ y that is combusted, but feedstock energy retain ed within the mater ia process-related carbo n emissions (i.e. non-f u emissions that may arise, for example, from c reactions). This docum ent follows a cradle -to approach, in which the impact of the produ ct considered from the point of extraction of the materials up to distrib ution of the finished goo Figure 2 and Figure 3 present embodied en and embodied carbo n, respectively, under the cradle-to-gate bound aries, for perlite and other insulating materials.

Expanded Perlite has minimal embodied energy and embodied carbon compared to all o organic and inorga nic alternatives. The values fo perlite ore are 0.66 MJ/kg and 0.03 kg CO2 eq/kg respectively.

Perlite: The Most Sustainable Insulation Solution for Buildings points out that perlite is one

of the most overlooked insulating materials, especially as it offers numerous advantages over other organic and inorganic insulation materials. Perlite is very much seen as a sustainable, natural and user-friendly alternative in the marketplace. Find out more here.

Perlite Filter Aid: Extractive Metallurgy

Global Warming Poten tial

THE P E R LITE I N S T I T U T E ’ S C O R E VAL U E S :

Integrity is Our Guiding Principle

Volunteering is the Best Form of Leadership

Collaboration Generates Better Ideas

and Applicat

Global Warming Potent ial (GWP) is the appra isal material’s relative contri bution to greenhouse gas emissions, such as carbon dioxide (CO 2), methan (CH4), and ozone (O ).

3 GWP is calculated at the manufacture (Stage A), use (Stage B), and end-of-

explains that expanded perlite filter aid plays an essential role in the gold and silver mining process. Read more here.

ration, (KCGM) Ope h. east of Pert Gold Mines e Consolidated oximately 600 kilometres a Kalgoorli gold mine, e, located appr The Super Pit pit gold min open st large ’s is Australia

6

con r cake is not ns.[5] Perlite filte osal regulatio to strict disp ntly lowe not subject tains significa c filter aid con to some pro ■ Perlite ntal ime can be detr iron, which

■

P ERL IT E T O D AY – S PRING 2023

Technical Q&As Inquiring Minds Want to Know More About Perlite!

By Chuck Vogelsang , Perlite Institute Technical Consultant The number of inquiries received last year was 50% more than the year before (154 in 2022 vs. 104 in 2021). This year has started out with very few inquiries. There does not seem to be a pattern on when they come in as seen below.

The major areas of interest are reasonably consistent over time with construction, insulation, and filtration being the majority.

Filtration:

Chuck Vogelsang, Perlite Institute Technical Consultant

• What perlite filteraid would be recommended for water treatment? This would be determined by the particles to be removed, the rate required, and the equipment being used.

• What PFA for pathogen and bacteria removal is recommended? The grade is dependent on the material to be removed, the equipment being used, and the targeted outcome. Recommended contacting filter manufacturers for their recommendations based on the conditions required.

• Is there a concern about soluble chlorides in perlite coming into contact with stainless steel? There are no soluble chlorides in expanded perlite. Provided PI bulletin on typical perlite chemistry.

Insulation:

A few of the more interesting inquiries are summarized below:

Construction: • Group wanted to know if light weight concrete roof could be used to span a 10 meter distance without supports. We recommended against this and referred our roof deck bulletins as to how such spans are bridged. Provided PI bulletins on LWC and roof decking.

• Inquirer wanted to know the differences between light weight concretes and foamed. Got fantastic input from Kostas at Gulf Perlite as to the differences.

• What would be the expected R value for LWC? This would be dependent on the density and mix of the LWC as well as the thickness of the pour. Included PI bulletins on LWC and roof decks.

• Person wanted to use loose fill for insulating a very old house. Informed them that one could expect a R factor of 3 for every 1 inch of thickness. Sent bulletins on Loose Fill as well as health effects. Instructed them to seal every opening since the perlite flows like water. Also that the PI recommends one wear a respirator when handling perlite.

Horticulture: • Person wanted to know where to get bulk bags and expanded perlite. Gave him a list of PI members near him.

THE P E R LITE I N S T I T U T E ’ S C O R E VAL U E S :

Integrity is Our Guiding Principle

Volunteering is the Best Form of Leadership

Collaboration Generates Better Ideas

7

P ER LITE TO D AY – SP RI N G 2 0 2 3

Speaking of Perlite

By Panagiotis Angelopoulos, Perlite Institute Technical and Marketing Consultant

Interesting Recent Research Studies With New Expanded Perlite Applications Nowadays, expanded perlite experiences increasing interest in a wide range of applications, with more and more scientific studies focused on its multidisciplinary applicability. The aim of the current article is to present 4 recent research studies that were published in prominent journals in 2023, and involve the use of expanded perlite in new applications that spread from the environmental sector, to energy saving applications in renewable energy sources and bio composites for construction purposes.

The first work is entitled “A pioneering study on the recovery of valuable functional compounds from olive pomace by using supercritical carbon dioxide extraction: Comparison of perlite addition and drying” presented in Separation and Purification Technology journal (Argun et al. 2023). Researchers applied supercritical carbon dioxide extraction to a mixture of two-phase olive pomace (olive pomace and olive oil) with perlite aiming to prevent the environmental risk that may arise from the leachate.

Critical environmental parameters were chemical oxygen demand (COD), solid matter (SM), volatile solids matter (VSM), total nitrogen (TN), oil grease, pH, electrical conductivity (EC) and toxicity. Expanded perlite was mixed with two-phase olive pomace by a rate of 1:2 (w/w) to absorb water content and increase the interaction of CO2 with the pomace due to the high surface area.

It was found that indeed the diffusion of CO2 into the sample was enhanced by perlite thus being favourable to the process efficiency. The authors concluded that perlite usage was considered as an environmentally friendly and economically viable solution to absorb moisture of OP in recovering phenolics and fatty acids from it by supercritical carbon dioxide extraction.

Main groups of the valuable compounds such as secoiridoids, flavonoids and phenolic alcohols were detected in the starting material (pomace) as 400, 290 and 100 mg/kg, respectively, while their concentrations increased up to 16430, 7370 and 3280 mg/ kg in the extracts. By this suggested application, while some valuable compounds were being recovered, the potentially toxic constituents such as oil-grease and TPC were withdrawn, then OP toxicity potentially reduced, therefore, the pomace residue can be used for soil reclamation.

8

The second paper is entitled “Evaluation of the impact of different composite phase change materials on reduction in temperature and enhancement of solar panel efficiency” and presented in Journal of Energy Storage (Govindasamy and Kumar 2023). The study deals with an important problem related to the efficiency of the solar panels; the amount of electricity produced by a solar panel is very sensitive to the temperature at which it is operating, on a way that the higher the temperature of a Photovoltaic system, the lower the efficiency of its conversion of sunlight into electricity. Therefore, the concept investigated is the use of phase change material (PCM) to reduce and manage the temperature of solar photovoltaic panels and through this increase the electrical energy efficiency. The considered system consists of monocrystalline solar panel joined individually with vermiculite and paraffin jelly composite PCM, as well as with expanded perlite and paraffin jelly composite PCM. PCMs were prepared in mass ratio of paraffin jelly: perlite of 50:50 (wt%). The mixture was heated and stirred in a beaker at 60 °C and subsequently vacuum was applied.

It was found that the PCM integrated panel that was used was successful in lowering the maximum temperature that could be reached by the photovoltaic, as shown in Figure 1, increasing the power output, and increasing the electrical efficiency. Without PCM the average efficiency was 15.78%, using perlite PCM the efficiency reached Figure 1 17.98%.

Expanded perlite-PCM Continued on next page...

THE P E R LITE I N S T I T U T E ’ S C O R E VAL U E S :

Integrity is Our Guiding Principle

Panagiotis Angelopoulos

Volunteering is the Best Form of Leadership

Collaboration Generates Better Ideas

P ERL IT E T O D AY – S PRING 2023

Constructed wetlands (CW) are treatment systems that use natural processes involving wetland vegetation, soils, and their associated microbial assemblages to improve water Figure 2 Average temperature variation of solar quality. An panel with and without PCM. interesting paper was presented in Journal of Water Process Engineering

by Hu et al. entitled “Do mycorrhizal symbiosis affect wastewater purification in constructed wetlands with different substrates?” (Hu et al. 2023). The researchers tested wastewater purification efficiency in wetlands filled with different substrates, including perlite, in the presence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). Other substrates used were vermiculite, sand, biochar.

The authors concluded that adsorptive substrates (perlite, vermiculite, and biochar), AMF, and G. maxima Figure 3 the composition of constructed significantly wetland systems increased the pollutants (TOC, TN, PO43-P and NH4+-N) removal from wastewater in CWs. It was also shown that the application of adsorptive substrates in CWs showed a more critical role in pollutant removal than AMF inoculation, indicating that the presence of adsorptive substrate addition could improve the CWs performance in purifying wastewater.

Bio-composite materials consisting of agricultural wastes has gained importance because of the increasing urbanization that made lightweight construction materials with low thermal conductivity of interest. In a recently published study, Kolak and Oltulu investigated the use of camelina stalks which is considered an agricultural waste, in the production of bio-composite (Kolak and Oltulu 2023). The article is presented in Construction and Building Materials entitled “Investigation of mechanical and thermal properties of new type bio-composites containing camelina”

In the composite, unsaturated polyester was used as binder together with expanded perlite in various ratios.

Figure 4 Test specimens for: compressive strength (a), thermal conductivity (b), and water absorption (c)

The composite materials were investigated in terms of physical, thermal and mechanical characteristics, as well as microstructure. The most critical conclusions are the following: • As the amount of camelina stalks and expanded perlite increased, the water absorption of the composite increased.

• As the filler amount increased, the unit weight decreased.

• The thermal conductivity coefficient is low due to the high void ratio of low unit weight composites.

• Camelina stalk and expanded perlite contain micropores that efficiently increase the thermal insulation of the building materials.

• The addition of expanded perlite reduced the thermal conductivity of composites from 15.29% to 39.27%.

• As a general comment, it is suggested that the composite material have a promising potential as lightweight insulation material.

Bibliography 1. Argun ME, Arslan FN, Ates H, et al (2023) A pioneering study on the recovery of valuable functional compounds from olive pomace by using supercritical carbon dioxide extraction: Comparison of perlite addition and drying.

Sep Purif Technol 306:. https://doi.org/10.1016/j. seppur.2022.122593 2. Govindasamy D, Kumar A (2023) Evaluation of the impact of different composite phase change materials on reduction in temperature and enhancement of solar panel efficiency. J Energy Storage 60:106631. https://doi. org/10.1016/j.est.2023.106631 3. Hu B, Hu S, Vymazal J, Chen Z (2023) Do mycorrhizal symbiosis affect wastewater purification in constructed wetlands with different substrates? J Water Process Eng 52:. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jwpe.2023.103498 4. Kolak MN, Oltulu M (2023) Investigation of mechanical and thermal properties of new type bio-composites containing camelina. Constr Build Mater 362:129779. https://doi. org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2022.129779

THE P E R LITE I N S T I T U T E ’ S C O R E VAL U E S :

Integrity is Our Guiding Principle

Volunteering is the Best Form of Leadership

Collaboration Generates Better Ideas

9

P ER LITE TO D AY – SP RI N G 2 0 2 3

Why Vision Matters to Your Team

by Jeff Tippett As I begin this three-part series on vision, I think it’s best to start by understanding the ‘why’ of vision. We know that vision helps bring your team onboard.

It’s obviously important to plan for the future. But critical to realizing that future is believing in it passionately—and if you’re part of a team, conveying that passion.

However, I think it’s even bigger than getting your team onboard. And I believe that with many segments— including younger team members—it’s more than just why.

You probably know where you want to take your team; in fact, you may even have a statement hanging on the wall.

Vision is where you communicate to your team what matters most. A team leader must lay out the plan and follow it through, or there’ll be no cohesion.

I firmly believe that it’s essential that you know why what you do matters. Otherwise, what you do may be of little interest to those with whom you work. Vision gives purpose to the work.

Most successful visions include a grounding from the past and a plan for the future while acknowledging and embracing the challenges of today.

I like this quote from Bill Hybels: “Vision is a picture of the future that produces passion.”

10

John Graham outlined a few reasons why vision is critical.

Consider these:

A vision inspires action.

A vision is a practical guide.

A vision helps keep organizations focused.

Continued on next page...

THE P E R LITE I N S T I T U T E ’ S C O R E VAL U E S :

Integrity is Our Guiding Principle

Volunteering is the Best Form of Leadership

Collaboration Generates Better Ideas

P ERL IT E T O D AY – S PRING 2023

The value of these three can’t be overstated. Vision gives you a roadmap to achieve your goals, the inspiration to act on those goals and the framework to keep you focused on achieving them. That trifecta is key.

In considering vision, think also about the role that each player fills. It’s not enough to outline how things ought to be, with no consideration of how the members of your team interact under the vision’s framework.

Focus is essential when undertaking complex tasks. I’m sure there have been plenty of instances in which a longterm project was underway, consuming weeks or months of your time. How is it possible to achieve these tasks without a North Star, a clear pathway and focus on what it means? It isn’t.

Another topic to consider is the difference between your mission statement and your vision statement. That’s right, they’re distinct.

I’m sure your organization has a mission statement, something that describes what it is you’re doing and how you’re doing it. But that’s for the short-term.

When considering your vision statement, it must accommodate the desired trajectory of the organization— where you hope to be in a year, five years, 10 years. A clear and compelling vision requires that those around you and those from the outside know where you want to take the organization. It gives purpose to the team and prevents your work from stagnating.

Finally, in terms of focus, you need to be able to lend your hand where necessary, but delegate everything else. I advocate for the 80/20 method of leadership: Focus on the 20 percent of work that is essential and delegate the other 80 percent. You have a team around you for a reason, and they’ve earned your trust. Don’t be afraid to leverage them to make the company as a whole perform better.

About the Author:

Jeff Tippett

Jeff Tippett is the international best-selling author of two books, Pixels Are the New Ink and Unleashing Your Superpower: Why Persuasive Communication is the Only Force You Will Ever Need. Speaking to international audiences through keynotes and seminars, Jeff helps attendees increase their effectiveness, gives them powerful tools to reach their goals, and empowers attendees to positively impact and grow their organizations or businesses.

In 2014, Jeff founded Targeted Persuasion, an award-winning public affairs + communications firm. He has worked with renowned brands like Airbnb, The National Restaurant Association, The League of Women Voters, The League of Conservation Voters, plus others. Other industry experts have validated Jeff’s work with numerous awards including the Metro Style prestigious The American Advertising Award.

Social Media Icons

Social Social Media Media Icons Icons

Jeff is the host of Victory by Association with Jeff Tippett, a podcast that shares the victories of association executives with the world, highlighting the great work done across thisStyle country every day.

Metro Metro Style

Jefftippett.com

VictoryByAssociation.com

Horticultural Committee Needs Your Help!

The Horticultural Committee is working on a FAQ (frequently asked questions) document for the website. The committee is looking for questions you receive on a regular basis from customers or other individuals that could be answered in a FAQ document.

Do you have some questions that would be appropriate to include in a FAQ document related to use of perlite in horticulture? The questions can be simple or in-depth. The committee will review the questions received and develop answers to then post to the website.

If you have questions to share, please send them to info@perlite.org. The committee would like to post the FAQ document in the near future, so please send your questions by April 15. Thank you for your consideration of this request!

THE P E R LITE I N S T I T U T E ’ S C O R E VAL U E S :

Integrity is Our Guiding Principle

Volunteering is the Best Form of Leadership

Collaboration Generates Better Ideas

11