Removal of Manganese from Kaolin Ore Using the Mozley Multigravity Separator
M. Laraba1, J. M. Menendez-Aguado2
1Mining & Geotechnolgy Department, Mining Institute, University of Tebessa, Tebessa, Algeria
2Asturias Raw Materials Institute, University of Oviedo, Asturias, Spain
Keywords: Kaolin ore, manganese, multigravity separator, Box-Behnken designs, response surface methodology
Abstract
The objective of this study is purifying kaolin ore collected from Djebel Debbagh deposit, situated in eastern Algeria by the utilization of a multigravity separator. The chemical, mineralogical and microscopic analyses were carried out. These analyses reveal that the kaolin ore contains kaolinite as the main mineral contaminated with manganese considered as an impurity in this case. This last reduce significantly the quality of this kaolin and consequently limit its use as raw material in several industries. Three variables, namely, drum velocity, wash water flow rate, and shake amplitude of the Mozly multigravity separator were chosen for the analyses of their influence on the content, yield and recovery of manganese in mill tailings. The Box-Behnken designs and the response surface methodology were used. After optimization of the process variables, the maximal values of Mn content, yield and recovery were obtained. The predicted results were consistent with the experimental data, confirming the model correctness and the effectiveness of the parameters adjustment in MGS for manganese removal from kaolin.
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