Decomposition behavior of CaSO_4 during potassium extraction from a potash feldspar-CaSO_4 binary system by calcination

The extraction of potassium from a tablet mixture of K-feldspar ore and CaSO4by roasting was studied with a focus on the effects of the decomposition behavior of CaSO4on the potassium extraction process.The roasted slags were characterized by X-ray diffraction（XRD）,scanning electron microscopy（SEM）,energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy,and thermogravimetric（TG）analysis.The XRD analysis revealed that hydrosoluble mischcrystal K2Ca2（SO4）3was obtained by ion exchange of Ca^2＋ in CaSO4 and K^＋ in KAlSi3O8.Meanwhile,the intermediate product,SiO2,separated from KAl Si3O8and reacted with CaSO4to decompose CaSO4.The SEM results showed that some blowholes emerged on the surface of the CaSO4particles when they reacted with SiO2at 1200℃,which indicates that SO2and O2gases were released from CaSO4.The TG curves displayed that pure CaSO4could not be decomposed below 1200℃,while the mixture of K-feldspar ore and CaSO4began to lose weight at 1000℃.The extraction rate of potassium and decomposition rate of CaSO4were 62%and 44%,respectively,at a mass ratio of CaSO4to K-feldspar ore of 3：1,temperature of 1200℃,tablet-forming pressure of6 MPa,and roasting time of 2 h.The decomposition of CaSO4reduced the potassium extraction rate;therefore,the required amount of CaSO4was more than the theoretical amount.However,excess CaSO4was also undesirable for the potassium extraction reaction because a massive amount of SO2and O2gas were derived from the decomposition of CaSO4,which provided poor contact between the reactants.The SO2released from CaSO4decomposition can be effectively recycled.

The extraction of potassium from a tablet mixture of K-feldspar ore and CaSO_4by roasting was studied with a focus on the effects of the decomposition behavior of CaSO_4on the potassium extraction process.The roasted slags were characterized by X-ray diffraction(XRD),scanning electron microscopy(SEM),energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy,and thermogravimetric(TG)analysis.The XRD analysis revealed that hydrosoluble mischcrystal K_2Ca_2(SO_4)_3was obtained by ion exchange of Ca^(2+)in CaSO_4and K^+in KAlSi_3O_8.Meanwhile,the intermediate product,SiO_2,separated from KAl Si_3O_8and reacted with CaSO_4to decompose CaSO_4.The SEM results showed that some blowholes emerged on the surface of the CaSO_4particles when they reacted with SiO_2at 1200°C,which indicates that SO_2and O_2gases were released from CaSO_4.The TG curves displayed that pure CaSO_4could not be decomposed below 1200°C,while the mixture of K-feldspar ore and CaSO_4began to lose weight at 1000°C.The extraction rate of potassium and decomposition rate of CaSO_4were 62%and 44%,respectively,at a mass ratio of CaSO_4to K-feldspar ore of 3:1,temperature of 1200°C,tablet-forming pressure of6 MPa,and roasting time of 2 h.The decomposition of CaSO_4reduced the potassium extraction rate;therefore,the required amount of CaSO_4was more than the theoretical amount.However,excess CaSO_4was also undesirable for the potassium extraction reaction because a massive amount of SO_2and O_2gas were derived from the decomposition of CaSO_4,which provided poor contact between the reactants.The SO_2released from CaSO_4decomposition can be effectively recycled.