Beneficiation of Kalabsha Kaloin ore and its utilization in the manufacture of solid alum

Abstract EN

Twenty-four samples of kaolin ore were collected from the kaolin mine at Kalabsha.

The samples were crushed and dry and wet screened into different particle sizes.

The chemical analyses for Si02 and A1203 indicate that the particle size of 7 to +0.850 mm is the most suitable, as it gives the highest A1203% and the lowest s02؛% compared to the original samples.

The sample of 22 ه mm in size was subjected to attrition in tap water for one hour.

The slime and solid residue were collected and passed through a set of sieves.

The-0.075 mm fraction was cycloned to separate very fine particles (-0.01 mm).

Each fraction W'as collected, dried, and analyzed.

The results indicate that the-0.0ل mm particle size yields the highest .38.40and the lowest SiC>2 (43.50%) and Fe203 (0.90%), compared to the original sample.

The solid alum was prepared from the roasted sample (-0.01 mm particle size) at 600°c for 30 minutes, using concentrated H2S04 with gentle heating and stirring until white intensive fumes of H2S04 evaporated.

The present work is intended to bénéficiât؛؛ the kaolin ore of the Wadi Kalabsha area, employing the effect of dr>' screening and attrition followed by hydrocyclone to separate very fine size particles for the manufacture of solid alum [A12(S04)3], The present study indicates that 1.337 ton of kaolin ore is beneficiated to produce 0.526 ton for use in alum production.