Silica improvement by grinding and beneficiation process
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Date
2019-07
Authors
Mohamad Syahiran Bin Olly Mohamadhu
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Abstract
In this study, the characterization and processing of silica sand was done using attrition scrubbing method. The aim of this study is to reduce the size of the silica sand as well as upgrade the silica sand from Terengganu Silica Consortium Sdn Bhd by reducing the iron content using grinding and attrition scrubbing method. Hence, the characterization of the silica sand sample before grinding and attrition scrubbing process were carried out at the initial stage of the investigation. This initial stage were included the particle size distribution analysis, optical microscope observation and Scanning Electron Microscope with Energy-dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (SEM-EDX). The grinding process helps to liberate the iron stain on the silica surface as well as reduce it size to -425μm to +150μm size range. The parameters studied were rotational speed and different ball size. This are the industrial glass making silica sand specification prepared at Terengganu Silica. ICPOES analyses were done to determine the size range that has high iron content. After that the product were continued with attrition scrubbing process. The attrition scrubbing are done to completely removed the iron stain the surface of the silica particle as well as those liberated through grinding process. This test were carried out at neutral condition with varies of time. From ICP analysis results, it is found that the grade of silica after the attrition scrubbing process increased to 150ppm compared to 400ppm before grinding and beneficiation process carried out.