Feldspars of the Sultan-Uvaiskoe deposit: main characteristics and processing methods

Abstract

This article presents research aimed at discovering new deposits of silicate raw materials, including low-melting compounds, in compliance with the specifications of respective production plants and applicable standards. It describes the characteristics of the feldspar of the Sultan-Uvaiskoe deposit in Uzbekistan and studies its chemical and mineral compositions in full. It has been found that the feldspar at the Sultan-Uvaiskoe deposit consists of microcline (65–67 wt%), albite (27–28 wt%), apatite (1–2 wt%), and quartz (5–6 wt%). The analysis results obtained indicate the following chemical composition: SiO2 at 68.57 wt%; TiO2 at 0.01 wt%; Al2O3 at 16.81 wt%; Fe2O3 at 0.07 wt%; FeO at 0.12 wt%; MgO at 0.3 wt%; MnO at 0.01 wt%; CaO at 0.55 wt%; Na2О at 2.92 wt%; K2O at 9.98 wt%; P2O5 at 0.15 wt%; LOI at 0.51 wt%. The paper also contains the data obtained by feldspar electron microscopic imaging, X-ray diffraction analysis, and infrared spectroscopy, as well as the data on its granule composition, physical and chemical properties, collected with the application of advanced research methods. The paper theoretically studies and substantiates industrial usability of feldspar from the Sultan-Uvaiskoe deposit. Its qualitative characteristics have been established through physical and chemical analyzes and compared against the requirements of applicable standards. The results suggest that this raw material may be used to manufacture glass, glass enamels, glazes, porcelain, and other silicate-based products. A process flow diagram is presented for the processing of feldspar from the Sultan-Uvaiskoe deposit.