SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF PURE SILICA POWDER FROM A K-FELDSPAR SILICATE ORE FOR INDUSTRIAL VALUE ADDITION

Authors : Kuranga İ. AYINLA, Alafara A. BABA, Subrat Ku. PADHY, Oseni ADIO, Kehinde A. ODELEYE, Bankim Ch. TRIPATHY

Pages : 69-87

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Publication Date : 2019-12-31

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Nigeria is one of the African countries endowed with abundant varieties of solid mineral resources. Despite huge mineral abundance in all States of the Federation, these resources to boost the country’s economy, aid industrialization and revenue generation has been far less utilized. Thus, the utilization of a Nigerian k-feldspar ore containing an admixture of orthoclase insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(KAlSiO8 : 96-740-9031);, albite insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(AlSiO8 : 96-940-0741); and quartz insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(SiO2 : 96-900-9667); impurities to produce pure silica powder insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(PSP); was investigated using roast-leaching and co-precipitation method. During leaching, parameters such as leachant concentration, effect of particle size and reaction temperature on the synthesis yield were accordingly examined. At optimal leaching conditions insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(2.0 mol/L NaOH, 90°C);, 87% of the initial 10g/L ore reacted within 120 minutes. The un-reacted product insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(~13.0%); analyzed by XRD was found to contain siliceous impurities which could serve as a valuable by-product for some defined industries. The leachate at optimal leaching was accordingly co-precipitated using concentrated H2SO4 to obtain pure silica powder insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(PSP); of industrial value.
Keywords : Silica, K feldspar, Leachant, Optimal leaching, Orthoclase, Kinetics