Beneficiation of andalusite ore by shaking table process using design of experiments methodology

Abstract

ABSTRACT Andalusite is an alumina-silicate raw material, principally used in the manufacture of heat-resistant refractory products. In the present research, the andalusite mineral was successfully recovered from andalusite ore using a shaking table coupled with magnetic separation. The effects from shaking table parameters, that is deck tilt angle and water flow rate, on the alumina grade and andalusite mineral recovery were investigated using a design of the experiment (DOE), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results revealed that the deck tilt angle was the main influencing factor on the processing of andalusite ore. The application of a desirability function on the shaking table showed the increase of alumina content from 20.73 to 38.46 wt.% with a recovery rate of 80%. The recovered andalusite's grade fits the requirements for refractory product manufacturing.