Influence of microwave power and temperature on the silica leaching process

Abstract

This research presents a study for the silica leaching from peat clay in alkalic sodium hydroxide under microwave-heated condition. Microwave bases leaching was implemented using the Iwaki Pyrex glass reactor in a modified microwave oven. The characterization of peat clay was specified by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) analysis. An investigation was made of the influence of microwave power, temperature, and reaction time on the silica leaching recovery. An enhancement on the silica recovery for 12 M sodium hydroxide, solid/liquid ratio 0.03 g/mL, and 15 min reaction time was obtained 30.62 %-wt and 27.85%-wt for 900 W and 90 °C respectively. The microwave assisted leaching is more efficient regarding overall silica dissolution.