Dissolution of colemanite in (NH₄)2SO₄ solutions

Abstract

Turkey is the country having the richest boron ores in the world, and colemanite, tincal and ulexite are the ores being mined mostly in Turkey. These ores are used in the production of various boron compounds of which the production methods are generally patented. Colemanite ore also is reacted with sulfuric acid to product boric acid. Produced by this method, boric acid contains various impurities which reduce the market value and are difficult to remove. This study investigated the reaction between colemanite and ammonium sulfate as an alternative method to produce boric acid. Particle size, ammonium sulfate concentration, solid to liquid ratio and reaction temperature were chosen as parameters. In results, the conversion rate was increased by decreasing particle size and solid to liquid ratio, by increasing ammonium sulfate concentration and temperature. A semi-empirical model with 40.46 kJmol⁻¹ activation energy representing this process was found as follows: 1−(1−X)^1/3=2.12×10²·C^1.38·R^−0.75·(S/L)^−0.44·e^−4866/T·t^0.61.