The utilization of industrial wastes of Bigadiç Boron work

The aim of this study is to characterize, classify and recovery Bigadiç Industrial Boron wastes which became an important environmental problem. The waste samples are taken from various zones of Simav and Tülü mines of Bigadiç Boron Industry open pit mines. Lithium content of these samples is determined as minimum 230 mg/kg and maksimum 2300 mg/kg lithium. Besides lithium the presence of cesium; minimum 62 mg/kg and maximum 173 mg/kg takes attention.When the chemical analysis of the wastes are examined, maximum and minimum major oxides and loss of ignition values are as follows ; 14-40 % SiO2, 3-39% CaO, 8-20% MgO, 1-10 % B2O3 and 22-36% LOI.XRD patterns of the wastes show the structures have calcite (CaCO3) and aragonite (CaCO3) dominant minerals dominantly. The examined materials are wastes so these materials can not be assumed as pure calcite or aragonite mineral but it is certain that their composition contains a acertain amount.At the step of recovery of lithium sulphiric acid roasting method is assumed as the most proper method. For this purpose, waste is roasted at 1100 °C for 2 hours and is became more reactive to acid, then an amount of acid 15 % in excess of lithium eqivalent is added before thermal treatment. At this point, optimum solubility conditions are determined; roasting temperature 350 °C, acid roasting time 90 minute, stirring speed 375 rpm, leaching temperature 90°C, leaching time 90 minute, solid liquid ratio 1:5 g/mL. 98,4 % lithium content of the waste is leached and 84,9% of lithium is precipitated as lithium carbonate.The color of the wastes after roasting, XRD and chemical analysis results shows that the wastes are similar to porcelain glaze raw materials. The quality of porcelain glazes are tested with the help of thermal shock test, color test, detergent resistance test. The results are in the reference porcelain glaze values limits. The porcelain glaze receipt B which contains 10 % waste showed the closest values to the reference porcelain glaze.As a result, the experimental test values showed that Bigadiç Boron Industrials Wastes can be used as a raw material for porcelain industry and also can ve evaluates as a resource for lithium carbonate production