Decomposition of polyhalite with hydrochloric acid

Abstract

Due to the fact that polyhalite ores are poorly soluble in water, it was of interest to study the method of their processing using acids. The influence of polyhalite size, the hydrochloric acid concentration and consumption, the ratio of L: S, the temperature and time of mixing the pulp on the useful components extraction into the solution have been studied. The optimal conditions for the decomposition of polyhalite with hydrochloric acid have been determined. The degree of useful components extraction into the solution depends on the concentration of hydrochloric acid or on the L:S ratio of the pulp, but in all cases the decomposition of polyhalite occurs without secondary crystal formation, as evidenced by the same degree of potassium and magnesium ions extraction. The degree of potassium and magnesium ions extraction from polyhalite into solution increases with decomposition process temperature, an increase in the consumption of acid and the duration of the reagents interaction, and decreases with increasing acid concentration. The CaSO4 content in the solution increases sharply with an increase in the HCl concentration and is practically independent of the process temperature. Hydrochloric acid extract can be used for phosphate raw decomposition in order to obtain complex fertilizers.