Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
b
a
1
2
3
c
4
5
6
C
CO
2
T
Figure 5.49 Arrangement of the apparatus for the growth of calcite
[178]
.
Kinloch et al. (1974)
[162]
have obtained calcite single crystals in large auto-
claves (23 cm internal diameter
280 cm length)—commercial production using a
6MK
2
CO
3
mineralizer. As K
2
CO
3
attacks autoclaves made of ferrous alloys, the
autoclaves were provided with cylindrical silver and platinum cans. The following
are the experimental conditions used by these workers:
3
Nutrient
45 kg of optical grade crystals of Mexican origin
Seeds
Natural calcite crystals cutting rhombohedra with
10
20 cm
2
surfaces and 1
2 cm thick
6mK
2
CO
3
Solvent
435
445
C
Nutrient temperature
Seed temperature range
410
425
C
% Fill
86%(1.72 kbar)
Baffle opening
8%
10
C
Temperature gradient
5
Experimental duration
30
50 days
Growth rate obtained
50
μ
m/day/face for {1011} face
