Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Applications of two electric arc plasma torches for the beneficiation of natural quartz

  • Published:
International Journal of Minerals, Metallurgy, and Materials Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Experimental beneficiation processes of quartz concentrate in arc plasma torches of two different types and electric powers were studied. An emission scanning electron microscope and a universal laser analyzer were used to investigate the structures as well as the size distributions of grains and microparticles. Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry was used to determine the chemical compositions of nonstructural solid-phase mineral impurities in quartz concentrate. Results related to the modified grains’ structure and size distribution, the compositions of impurities, and the gas-liquid inclusions in the quartz concentrate were investigated. The total impurities concentrations in the processed grains were found to satisfy the IOTA-STD standard (industry standard for grading high quality fused quartz products). The optimal condition (i.e., the optimal specific plasma enthalpy) for the production of high-purity quartz in arc plasma torches was found to depend on the geological-genetic type and the structural and textural features (i.e., chemical composition and gas-liquid inclusions) of the quartz concentrate.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. R. Perruchoud and J.C. Fischer, High-purity composite briquette for direct UMG-Si production in arc furnaces, JOM, 65(2013), No. 12, p. 1744.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. J. Götze and R. Möckel, Quartz: Deposits, Mineralogy and Analytics, Springer, Berlin, 2012, p. 33.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  3. N.N. Konev, Magnetic enrichment of quartz sands. Analysis of separator operation, Glass Ceram., 67(2010), No. 5–6, p. 132.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. D.S. He, Y. Chen, P. Xiang, Z.J. Yu, and J.H. Potgieter, Study on the pre-treatment of oxidized zinc ore prior to flotation, Int. J. Miner. Metall. Mater., 25(2018), No. 2, p. 117.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. M. Nete, F. Koko, T. Theron, W. Purcell, and J.T. Nel, Primary beneficiation of tantalite using magnetic separation and acid leaching, Int. J. Miner. Metall. Mater., 21(2014), No. 12, p. 1153.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. M. Lin, Z.Y. Pei, Y.Y. Liu, Z.J. Xia, K. Xiong, S.M. Lei, and E.W. Wang, High-efficiency trace Na extraction from crystal quartz ore used for fused silica—A pretreatment technology, Int. J. Miner. Metall. Mater., 24(2017), No. 10, p. 1075.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. R.S. Nasyrov and S.A. Popov, Melting conditions for quartz glass of high purity and structural perfection, Glass Ceram., 69(2012), No. 7–8, p. 224.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. L.A. Borisov, Y.M. Grishin, E.N. Gulin, A.D. Kairyak, N.P. Kozlov, and M.V. Kutyrev, Studies into the modification of the composition of impurities of natural quartz particles in a dispersed plasma flow, High Temp., 45(2007), No. 5, p. 708.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. O.G. Volokitin, N.K. Skripnikova, G.G. Volokitin, V.I. Otmakhov, Y.A. Abzaev, L.A. Egorova, and V.V. Shekhovtsov, Complex investigation of quartz-feldspar-containing raw material and its melting product obtained in a plasma reactor, Glass Ceram., 71(2015), No. 11–12, p. 410.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. O.V. Vasyukova, V.S. Kamenetsky, K. Goemann, and P. Davidson, Diversity of primary CL textures in quartz from porphyry environments: implication for origin of quartz eyes, Contrib. Mineral. Petrol., 166(2013), No. 4, p. 1253.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. A. Müller, P.M. Ihlen, J.E. Wanvik, and B. Flem, High-purity quartz mineralisation in kyanite quartzites, Norway, Miner. Deposita, 42(2007), No. 5, p. 523.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. J. Götze, Chemistry, textures and physical properties of quartz-geological interpretation and technical application, Mineral Mag., 73(2009), No. 4, p. 645.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. B. Müller, M.D. Axelsson, and B. Öhlander, Analyses of trace elements on quartz surfaces in sulfidic minetailings from Kristineberg (Sweden) a few years after remediation, Environ. Geol., 45(2003), No. 1, p. 98.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. B. Rottier, H. Rezeau, V. Casanova, K. Kouzmanov, R. Moritz, K. Schlöglova, M. Wälle, and L. Fontboté, Trace element diffusion and incorporation in quartz during heating experiments, Contrib. Mineral. Petrol., 172(2017), No. 4, p. 23.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. J.S. Deng, S.M. Wen, D.D. Wu, J. Liu, X.L. Zhang, and H.Y. Shen, Existence and release of fluid inclusions in bornite and its associated quartz and calcite, Int. J. Miner. Metall. Mater., 20(2013), No. 9, p. 815.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. R. Chatterjee, S. Chaudhuri, S.K. Kuila, and D. Ghosh, Structural, microstructural, and thermal characterizations of a chalcopyrite concentrate from the Singhbhum shear zone, India, Int. J. Miner. Metall. Mater., 22(2015), No. 3, p. 225.

    Google Scholar 

  17. N.V. Sokerina and N.N. Piskunova, Growth condition of quartz crystals at the Zhelannoe deposit in the Nether-Polar Urals: Evidence from fluid and solid inclusions, Geochem. Int., 49(2011), No. 2, p. 181.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Thermal physics, Bauman Moscow State Technical University, Moscow, 125005, Russia

    Yuri-Mikhailovich Grishin, Long Miao & Alexey-Yurievich Kulagin

  2. Federal State Unitary Enterprise Tsentrkvarts, Moscow, 127486, Russia

    Lev-Alekseevich Borisov & Nikolay-Mikhailovich Serykh

Authors
  1. Yuri-Mikhailovich Grishin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Long Miao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Lev-Alekseevich Borisov
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Nikolay-Mikhailovich Serykh
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Alexey-Yurievich Kulagin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Long Miao.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Grishin, YM., Miao, L., Borisov, LA. et al. Applications of two electric arc plasma torches for the beneficiation of natural quartz. Int J Miner Metall Mater 26, 267–273 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-019-1734-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-019-1734-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation