The evaluation of Turkish leonardites

In this study, headsamples taken from Soma, Niğde and Meriç regions leonardites, was characterized, concentrated and from these concentrares it was obtained the derivatives of leonardite (humic acid, fulvic acid and hymatomelanic acid). The only way to use leonardites in organic farming is not treating them with any chemicals. In addition, in other industries the chemicals absorbed by leonardites during the enrichment step could be unfavorable. Therefore, only the gravitational enrichment methods were performed in the tests. With using sink/float tests, were determined washability of various size fractions of leonardite samples. Then jig tests were investigated with coarse size fractions, shaking table and MGS tests conducted with finer size fractions. The concentrates, using with indicating best results from enrichment processes, humic, fulvic and hymatomelanic acids were recovered. Consequently, based on the results obtained from beds situated Soma Niğde and Meriç regions, process flowsheets were developed to produce end products of bad, middle and best quality leonardites. Keywords: Leonardite, humic acid, fulvic acid, hymatomelanic acid, jig, shaking table MGS, extraktion of humic acid