PRELIMINARY LABORATORY TEST FOR PRODUC. OF STRONTIUM CARBONATE FROM CELESTITE ORE ETC.

Abstract

The present study deals with the possibility of preparation of Strontium Nitrate from unpurified strontium carbonate prepared from celestite ore (celestite bearing sands of the Dibdibba Formation from Tar Al- Najaf area) and its concentrate using Direct Conversion Route. The study also deals with the possibility of preparation of Strontium Nitrate from the black ash (the material produced from reduction of Strontium Sulfate of the celestite ore). On the other hand the study contained the preparation of Strontium Hydroxide from purified Strontium Carbonate prepared from the above mentioned celestite ore. The study included finding a proper technical route for the preperation of purified strontium Nitrate and strontium Hydroxide, where the purity of strontium Nitrate and strontium Hydroxide for laboratory prepared samples exceeds 97%, and 99% respectively. The optimum conditions for the preperation of purified strontium Nitrate from celestite ore (milled to a particle size less than 75 microns) which contained about 56% celestite are as follows:-

A- stage 1 (preperation of unpurified strontium carbonate) - concentration of sodium carbonate solution = 20% wt. - Quantity of sodium carbonate used in reaction = 10% excess the stochiometric quantity. - Reaction temperature = 97 co (Boiling). - Reaction time = 3 hours.

B- stage 2 (Acid treatment of unpurified strontium carbonate). - Concentration of Nitric acid : 2% wt - Quantity of acid used in reaction : stochiometric quantity . - Reaction time : 30 min.

C- Stage 3 (Evaporation of strontium Nitrate solution) Evaportion of Strontium Nitrate Solution Produced from stage 2 to produce hydrous strontium Nitrate crystals, which is then dried to anhydrous of purity 98,71%.

Strontium Hydroxide has been prepared from purified Strontium carbonote (which is prepared from celestite ore (applying Direct Conversion Route) as follows. Highly purified Strontium Carbonate is calcinated to strontium oxide at 1300 oC and quenched in water to produced soluble Strontium Hydroxide which in turn dried to produced Strontium Hydroxide crystal of purity 99.59%.