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Geometry optimization of an electrochemical reactor for bleaching kaolin

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  17 January 2023

José Angel Cobos-Murcia Open the ORCID record for José Angel Cobos-Murcia [Opens in a new window] ,
Eduardo Hernández-Aguilar Open the ORCID record for Eduardo Hernández-Aguilar [Opens in a new window] ,
Ariadna Trujillo-Estrada Open the ORCID record for Ariadna Trujillo-Estrada [Opens in a new window] ,
Grisell Gallegos-Ortega  and
Victor Esteban Reyes-Cruz
José Angel Cobos-Murcia*
Affiliation:
Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo, Área Académica de Ciencias de la Tierra y Materiales, Carr. Pachuca-Tulancingo km 4.5 s/n, Mineral de la Reforma, Hidalgo, Mexico
Eduardo Hernández-Aguilar
Affiliation:
Universidad Veracruzana, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Ote. 6 1009, Col. Rafael Alvarado, Orizaba, Veracruz, CP 94340, Mexico
Ariadna Trujillo-Estrada
Affiliation:
Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo, Área Académica de Ciencias de la Tierra y Materiales, Carr. Pachuca-Tulancingo km 4.5 s/n, Mineral de la Reforma, Hidalgo, Mexico Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología, Departamento de Cátedras, Av. Insurgentes Sur 1582, Col. Crédito Constructor, Deleg. Benito Juárez, México DF, CP 03940, Mexico
Grisell Gallegos-Ortega
Affiliation:
Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo, Área Académica de Ciencias de la Tierra y Materiales, Carr. Pachuca-Tulancingo km 4.5 s/n, Mineral de la Reforma, Hidalgo, Mexico
Victor Esteban Reyes-Cruz
Affiliation:
Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo, Área Académica de Ciencias de la Tierra y Materiales, Carr. Pachuca-Tulancingo km 4.5 s/n, Mineral de la Reforma, Hidalgo, Mexico
*
*Email: jose_cobos@uaeh.edu.mx
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Abstract

High-whiteness kaolinite mining reserves are scarce. In some locations, it is necessary to remove material to access them (adding to the cost). Therefore, processes have been developed to eliminate contaminants, such as iron, and provide alternatives to the used contaminated materials that, after being treated, meet quality criteria. In our previous research, we developed an electrochemical process for kaolin whitening at the laboratory level and bench scale, demonstrating the reaction mechanisms that occur during the removal of iron from kaolin. However, the geometry used at the laboratory level does not present the most suitable position for the electrodes. Therefore, in the present study, we focused on the geometry and the function of the electrodes. This is necessary during the escalation process to reach the pilot-scale level. The study was carried out using computer-aided engineering in the COMSOL Multiphysics computer program and by analysing the distribution of the electric potential and the electric current of the geometries considered while performing the scaling. The results indicated that the change in the anode position from perpendicular to parallel to the discs improved the distribution of electric current density on the cathode surface and so increased the elimination of iron through electrochemical deposition. Similarly, to reduce the amount of material used in the construction of the reactor, the anode-size effect was analysed, revealing that relatively small anodes improved the distribution of electric current density over the entire surface of the electrode and not only at the edges.

Keywords

bleachingdistribution of electric current densityelectrochemical reactorkaolinsimulation
Type
Article
Information
Clay Minerals , Volume 57 , Issue 3-4 , September 2022 , pp. 183 - 191
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2023. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of The Mineralogical Society of Great Britain and Ireland

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Footnotes

Associate Editor: Chun Hui Zhou

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