Optimization of Effective parameters on acid leaching of Sand silica applying In the glass industrial

In this paper, the removal of iron oxide (Fe2O3) through scrubbing process has been investigated which applying in the glass industrial. The iron oxide was obtained from silica sand samples of Cheshun mine. Chemical elements were analyzed by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS). Scrubbing by sulphuric acid was applied in order to remove iron oxide from silica sand. In addition, the study of parameters affecting the process was carried out through designing experiments by Taguchi method in Minitab. The AAS results showed 96.23% of SiO2, 0.13% Fe2O3, and 1.67% Al2O3. Mineralogical studies of silica sand showed that there have been hematite, goethite, and limonite which are the most important iron oxide minerals. The results of scrubbing indicated that the iron removal has increased by decreasing pH from 2 to 1. Also, the amount of iron in silica sand reduced by increasing the solid content from 50% to 70% and temperature degree from 400 to 800. The highest iron removal rate was obtained under the optimum condition including pH=1, temperature degree=80C0, and the solid content of 70%. Therefore, the final processed sample contained 0.031% iron oxide (Fe2O3) which is suitable for producing cup glass, glassware, and borosilicate crystal.