Characterization and beneficiation of Ethiopian kaolin for use in fabrication of ceramic membrane

Abstract Kaolin (china clay) is a rock material that very rich in kaolinite. A kaolin ore from Debre Tabor, Ethiopia containing 59.2 wt% SiO 2 , 24.9 Al O 3 2.4 Fe 3, and 8.22 loss on ignition (LOI) was physically beneficiated, chemically leached, thermally treated for possible industrial use, especially ceramic membrane fabrication. The leaching experiments were carried out using oxalic acid solutions as reagents the iron extraction process. effect of concentration, reaction temperature, contact time investigated. It determined rate increased with time. substantial reduction oxide (2.4 to 0.36 wt%) raw observed at operating conditions 2.0 M acid, temperature 120 °C, min. maximum whiteness index 81.4% achieved through this Finally, used fabricate low - cost based membrane. After firing 1100 °C found have mass 11.04 ± 0.05%, water absorption 8.9 0.4%, linear shrinkage 14.5 0.05%. demonstrated be stable, having less than 3% solution, 1% alkali solution. newly developed membranes thus properties comparable commercial membranes.