PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROBLEMS OF MINERAL PROCESSING, cilt.48, sa.2, ss.645-654, 2012 (SCI-Expanded)
In the present study, the role of particle size of mica with flaky shape on the separation efficiency of mica from feldspar by the shaking table and Reichert spiral (Model HG7) concentrators were investigated. An albite ore containing mica from the Cine region of Turkey was treated under various test conditions. During the study, particle size distribution, solids content of the feed and flow rate of the feed were changed in the spiral tests. Then, the flow rate of the feed was kept constant as 1 dm(3)/s in the shaking table tests. It was observed that mica could be separated from feldspar, owing to its laminar morphology. Accordingly, the particle size, directly related to the laminar morphology of mica, is the most effective parameter in the separation process. The best results were obtained with spiral concentrators, which met the requirements of the glass industry.