ALKALINE ROASTING AS A ROUTE FOR EXTRACTION OF POTASSIUM FROM FELDSPAR

The extraction of potassium from feldspar (orthoclase) using the roast ing route is studied. The process involves roasting of feldspar with d ifferent fluxes individually or in combination followed by leaching of the roasted mass under reflux with water. The use of different fluxes such as sodium carbonate, calcium carbonate, calcium sulphate, magnes ium sulphate and sulphate, chloride and nitrate of ammonia is studied. The study also includes roasting of feldspar with rare earth salts. F lame photometric analysis indicates potassium extraction of the order of 80% with sodium carbonate or a mixture of calcium carbonate and cal cium sulphate.