Taguchi Approach and ANOVA in Optimization of the Dissolution of Colemanite in CO2 and SO2- Water Systems

摘要

Background: Turkey is approximately 72% of the world’s boron sources.Colemanite, tincal, ulexite and pandermite are among the most significant in Turkey. Boroncompounds and minerals are widely used in many industrial fields.Objective: The main purpose of this study was to investigate the control of impurities inthe boric acid production process using colemanite by carrying out the reaction with a mixtureof CO2 and SO2 - water, and determining the appropriate process conditions to developa new process as an alternative to the use of sulfuric acid. Due to worrying environmentalproblems, intensive studies are being carried out globally to reduce the amount of CO2 andSO2 gases released to the atmosphere.Methods: The Taguchi method is an experimental design method that minimizes the productand process variability by selecting the most appropriate combination of the levels ofcontrollable factors compared to uncontrollable factors.Results: It was evaluated the effects of parameters such as reaction temperature, solid-toliquid ratio, SO2/CO2 gas flow rate, particle size, stirring speed and reaction time. The optimumconditions determined to be reaction temperature of 45°C; a solid–liquid ratio of0.083 g.mL?1; an SO2/CO2 ratio of 2/2 mL.s?1; a particle size of -0.354+0 .210 mm; a mixingspeed of 750 rpm and a reaction time of 20 min.Conclusion: Under optimum operating conditions, 96.8% of colemanite was dissolved. Itis thought that the industrial application of this study will have positive effects on thegreenhouse effect by contributing to the reduction of CO2 and SO2 emissions that causeglobal warming.