Application of Flotation for Improving Kaolin by Removing Iron and Manganese Oxides
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29227/IM-2026-01-01-026Keywords:
flotation, oleic acid, Fe 2 O 3, MnO, Djebel Debbagh kaolinAbstract
This research focuses on improving the quality of kaolin ore from the Djebel Debbagh deposit by removing its impurities using the flotation process. The chemical, mineralogical, and microscopic analysis using XRF, XRD, and SEM were performed. The results showed that this kaolin is mainly composed with kaolinite, but contaminated with impurities, such as Fe2O3 (0.56 %) and MnO (0.85 %). To carry out the flotation tests necessary for decontamination and to liberate the kaolin particles from their impurities; crushing, grinding and classification were carried out. The flotation results revealed that the impurities can be removed from this kaolin ore using oleic acid as the main collector for Fe2O3 and MnO. The optimal dimensions that can be introduced in the flotation process to achieve the maximum impurities removal are between 10 and 75 μm . In this dimensions; it’s can be concluded that the impurities are in free - state. The flotation process to remove impurities is very effective, especially for the fine fractions, while for large particles it’s less effective (low particle liberation). Additional grinding of particles larger than 100 μm seems necessary to liberate kaolin particles from their impurities .
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