This paper reports on the application of molten chloride salts, NaCl and CaCl 2 , for extraction of potassium from Oxley rock (ultrapotassic microsyenite) mined in Western Australia based on both experimental kinetic and thermochemical analysis. The reaction parameters of temperature, time, and salt to ore ratio were systematically analyzed, and a potassium extraction of more than 90% and 87% using CaCl 2 and NaCl, respectively, was obtained. In this paper, thermochemical equilibrium models have also been developed which show excellent agreement with experimental data and also allow one to predict how the system deviates from equilibrium where the maximum potassium extraction can be obtained. Also, this study offers a potential comparison between the use of NaCl and CaCl 2 in terms of potassium extraction and reaction mechanism. Different mineralogical studies have been conducted to characterize the ore and also to understand the reaction principle of the ore with NaCl and CaCl 2 .

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

This kinetic experimental analysis reports on the application of a eutectic NaCl–CaCl 2 salt system for the extraction of potassium from ultrapotassic microsyenite. The reaction parameters, time, temperature, salt composition, and salt to ore ratio, were systematically analyzed. It was found that a salt mixture increases the potassium cation extraction in comparison with using either pure NaCl or pure CaCl 2 . It was also found that adding CaCl 2 into pure NaCl has a considerably stronger effect on increasing the potassium recovery than adding NaCl to pure CaCl 2 . The salt as a melting agent offers a reduction in the reaction temperature due to its lower melting temperature when compared to pure salts (NaCl or CaCl 2 ). Approximately 70% of K + in the deposit was extracted at 650 °C. Different characteristic methods have been used to understand the reaction mechanism of the salt mixture and ore, as well as to qualify and quantify the end product mineral phases.