A perlite insulating concrete pool base can substantially reduce heat loss to the ground Perlite ore, when expanded, takes on a low-density cellular structure that makes it an extremely efficient insulation material. For a detailed explanation of perlite expansion, see PDF info sheet: Why Perlite Works. Perlite insulating concrete pool base can substantially reduce heat loss to the ground thus …
Perlite for Lawns and Gardens
Discover the many practical uses of perlite for outdoor gardening While it is a well-known fact that perlite plays an essential role in commercial plant propagation, did you know perlite can also be used to improve the soil, and beautify the landscape around your home? Spending time outdoors with plants and in our gardens can relieve stress, improve physical health …
Perlite in Lightweight Manufactured Stone
Lightweight, incombustible, and compatible with many other materials, expanded perlite others significant advantages when used in the making of masonry veneer products. The physical characteristics of expanded perlite lend themselves to a variety of special purposes—including use as a component of lightweight manufactured stone. For a detailed explanation of perlite expansion, see info sheet: Why Perlite Works. Expanded perlite is …
The Role of Perlite in Hydroponic Culture
Perlite is uniquely suited to hydroponic crop production the world over. With the rapid development of hydroponic crop production, perlite is proving its superiority as a commercial growing medium in one of the world’s most advanced growing technologies. Better Yields & Higher Crop Values Extensive testing over a period of years has documented the value of perlite for high value …
Perlite Solutions for the Green Building Industry
Perlite is a natural fit for green building initiatives and certifications. Green building solutions are increasingly called for to balance the world’s need for more human habitation with limited resources. It is said that buildings in the United States use one-third of the total energy consumed, two-thirds of the electricity, one-eighth of the water, as well as impacting the land. …
Snapdragon Production in Perlite
Utilization of Sensors to Optimize Quality A major regional flower grower “Flowers by Bauers” with many years of experience in growing snapdragons in a hydroponic perlite process, has radically changed both their method of growing flowers and the perlite grade of choice. Their original technique was initially reported to the Perlite Institute in 2010, but increased demand for snapdragons required …
Growing Orchids in Perlite
by Dr. Wally Thomas and Barb Thomas, 1988 Narrative and Data Reprinted with Permission by the Perlite Institute, Inc. Outstanding success growing orchids using a hydroponic perlite reservoir technique. This article summarizes five years of outstanding success in growing orchids at Charles Island Gardens (West Vancouver, Canada) using the perlite reservoir technique with intermediate-size perlite. This method, by which all …
Perlite for Non-Evacuated Cryogenic and Low Temperature Service
The physical character of expanded perlite lends itself to a variety of special purposes –including use in insulating cryogenic and low temperature storage tanks, in shipping containers, cold boxes, test chambers, and in food processing. For a detailed explanation of perlite expansion, see info sheet: “Why Perlite Works” in the information library at www.perlite.org Storage temperatures of -150F (-l00C) and …
Perlite for Use in Well Cements
How perlite improves performance in well cementing applications. Well cementing is the process of introducing a cement mixture, consisting of Portland cement, additives, and water, to the annular space between the well bore and casing, or the space between two successive casing strings. This viscous slurry is forced out through the bottom of the drill casing and the space between …
The Water-Holding Capacity of Perlite
The natural size and unique structure of expanded perlite makes an ideal framework to hold water. Perlite holds water in one of three ways: in between individual grains, in channels leading to the cores of the grains and on the highly irregular surfaces of each particle (Fig. 1). The surface of perlite is made up of the outer convex shells …
Why Perlite Works
Genesis in Fire Rapidly heating perlite ore to temperatures of about 900°C (1,700°F) softens the volcanic glass causing entrapped water molecules in the rock to turn to steam and expand the particles like popcorn. The expanded particles that result are actually clusters of minute, lightweight, insulating, glass bubbles. Broken bubbles and surface openings on the particles provide for water and …
Perlite for Water Quality Management
The physical character of expanded perlite lends itself to a variety of special purposes—including various applications in the broad category of water quality management. For a detailed explanation of perlite expansion see information sheet: Why Perlite Works Storm Water Filtration Due to its high surface area, neutral pH and irregular, porous surface texture, expanded perlite is ideally suited for a variety …
Perlite Loose-Fill Masonry Insulation
Perlite, an inorganic material, is as permanent as the walls it insulates. The physical character of expanded perlite lends itself to a variety of special purposes – including use as loose-fill masonry insulation. For a detailed explanation of perlite expansion, see information sheet: “Why Perlite Works“ PROPERTIES & BENEFITS Insulation: Thermal performance tests have shown significant energy savings when perlite is …
Perlite as a Sludge Absorbent
When perlite ore is expanded by exposure to controlled heating, it grows up to 20 times its original volume and takes on a foam-like cellular internal structure – essentially clusters of microscopic glass bubbles. Fine grades of perlite are mostly broken portions of these clusters, exhibiting a very large surface area, lending themselves to the efficient absorption of liquids. For a …
Perlite in Lightweight Formed Products
Ceiling tiles, pipe insulation, and fire-rated door cores are examples of products that attain lightweight bulk from expanded perlite. The physical character of expanded perlite lends itself to a variety of special purposes including the use in lightweight formed products. For a detailed explanation of perlite expansion, see information sheet: “Why Perlite Works” in the information library. Over half of …
Perlite: The Mineral for Healthy Plants
Expanded perlite provides space for both air and water within a soil mix. Natural soil is made up of four components: minerals, organic material, air, and water. When buying plants for your home or garden they should be grown in soil containing all of these elements. The unique characteristics of expanded perlite qualify it as one of the most desirable …
Webinar: Baghouse Basics and Troubleshooting
This presentation will cover the different types of baghouses, focusing on the one used by most perlite producers: the Pulse jet. Shaker type, Reverse Air and Cartridge baghouses will also be covered. Chuck will discuss design basics, operational approaches and problem areas that often occur.
Perlite for Filtration
The physical character of expanded perlite is ideal for use as a filter aid separating small solid particles from liquids. Lightweight expanded perlite bubble structures are milled and classified using strictly defined processes to produce perlite filter aids with specific flow characteristics. The various grades utilize the jagged interlocking structures to create billions of microscopic channels between the filter aid …
Perlite as a Filler
The physical character of expanded perlite lends itself to a variety of special purposes—including use as a filler material in milled flake form, aggregate bubble form, and individual microspheres. For a detailed explanation of perlite expansion, see PDF information sheet: Why Perlite Works ADVANTAGES OF PERLITE AS A FILLER Weight reduction Shrink and/or crack resistance Low volume-based cost compared to binders and …
Overview of Perlite Concrete
Perlite Concrete Offers Many Advantages Beyond Its Light Weight. This product guide contains various mix designs for lightweight concrete, utilizing perlite as the primary aggregate, which may be used as stated or as a starting point for your own custom mixes. Perlite lightweight concrete is used in many different applications. These include lightweight tile mortar, statuary, decorative stone, gas-fireplace logs …
Perlite and Sustainability
Sustainability Fact Sheet The Perlite Institute defines sustainability as the process of making decisions and taking actions to create economic, environmental and social conditions that generate value for the largest number of people, today and for generations to come. These decisions and actions are based on continuous reviews of: Protection of Resources and the Environment Perlite products help protect land, …
Perlite Cement-based Lightweight Insulating Plasters
Perlite cement plaster is thermal and sound insulating, fire retardant, and extremely lightweight—weighing approximately 60% less than ordinary sand plaster. Perlite Cement-based Plaster Perlite cement-based plaster can be used on new or remodel work, as a basecoat for stucco finishes, and as a substrate for ceramic tile or masonry veneer. It can be applied over metal or wire lath, on …
Overview of Perlite Concrete (metrics)
Perlite Concrete Offers Many Advantages Beyond Its Light Weight. This product guide contains various mix designs for lightweight concrete, utilizing perlite as the primary aggregate, which may be used as stated or as a starting point for your own custom mixes. Perlite lightweight concrete is used in many different applications. These include lightweight tile mortar, statuary, decorative stone, gas-fireplace logs …
Roof Gardens that are Gentle on the Roof
Lightweight Solutions to Weighty Problems The current, eco-friendly trend of designing commercial buildings with rooftop gardens has put a premium on the use of expanded, volcanic perlite in making lightweight soils for these structures. Regular, wetted soil can tip the scales at well over 100 pounds a cubic foot – while a perlite/peat moss mixture will weigh a mere 40 …