Thermodynamic Analysis of the Influence of Potassium on the Thermal Behavior of Kaolin Raw Material

The mineralogy and thermal properties of two kaolin clay samples from Agua Blanca (Hidalgo-Mexico) were determined by XRD, SEM-EDS, TGA-DSC techniques. Kaolin clay A contains a higher Al2O3 and lower impurities (K2O, TiO2, Fe2O3) amount than kaolin clay B, while the SiO2 amount is similar for both kaolin clays. A theoretical approach was carried out by a thermodynamic analysis considering the chemical composition of both kaolin clay samples with the FactSage 7.3 software. Stability phase diagrams were obtained to different K2O content from 0.1 to 3 wt % and temperatures in the range from 600 to 1600 degrees C based on the chemical composition of the kaolin clay samples. The main mineralogical compounds predicted are andalusite (Al2O3 center dot SiO2), K-Potash feldspar (K2O center dot Al2O3 center dot 6SiO(2)), and the SiO2 polymorphs (quartz, tridymite, and cristobalite) with small amounts of ferric-pseudobrookite (Fe2O5Ti), and rutile (TiO2). As K2O content is increased, the amounts of mullite and tridymite decrease meanwhile the potash feldspar is increased at high temperatures. A liquid phase is formed at around 1350 and 1400 degrees C for the kaolin clay samples A and B, respectively. The viscosity of the melt is increased for the evaluated K2O additions to 1400, 1500, and 1600 degrees C.