Removal of the Discoloring Contaminants of an East Georgia Kaolin Clay and its Dewatering

Authors: RAMAZAN ASMATULU

Abstract: The present study deals with flotation, selective flocculation, leaching and dewatering tests conducted on East Georgia kaolin clay. Flotation and selective flocculation tests were performed on the samples to remove titanium impurities (TiO_2) using different reagents at pH 9.5. The leaching tests were applied to the treated samples to dissolve the iron impurities (Fe_2O_3) in the presence of sodium hydrosulfite (Na_2S_2O_4) and alum (Al_2(SO_4)_3.18H_2O) at pH 3.0. The test results showed that the brightness of the samples improved from approximately 82% to 91% . After that, the leached samples were conditioned with dodecylamine, and then a newly developed dewatering aid was added to the slurry to make the fine clay particles super hydrophobic. It was found that the moisture content of the clay sample decreased from 42.3% to 31.4% . As a result, it can be concluded that the high quality and low moisture content of the kaolin clay can be easily used for many industries.

Keywords: Kaolin clay, Titanium and iron impurities, Flotation, Coagulation, Selective flocculation, Leaching, Surface hydrophobicity and moisture content.

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