Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
23rd International Mineral Processing Congress, IMPC 2006, İstanbul, Türkiye, 3 - 08 Eylül 2006, ss.1682-1686
The anhydrous sodium sulfate (Na2SO4) is produced from the sodium sulfate decahydrate also called mirabilite (Na 2SO4·10H2O) by removing its crystal water. This provides advantages in reducing the transportation costs and in uses in industry. Mirabilite starts to dissolve in its crystal water (i.e. crystal structure decomposes and starts to release its crystal water) above 32.4°C. In industrial applications, to dry off the crystal water, sodium sulfate decahydrate is heated in steam tube rotary or fluidized bed dryers with air above about 150°C. However, drying in rotary dryers is slow due to limitations in mixing and low gas temperatures. Fluidized bed dryers cause dusting and powder formation as a result of attrition caused by collision of particles in the bed. In this investigation, microwave energy has been considered as an alternative approach to solve the problems with current drying processes. With this alternative dehydration process, anhydrous sodium sulfate has been produced successfully from the sodium sulfate decahydrate with no damage to the sodium sulfate crystals. Comparative results of dehydration of sodium sulfate decahydrate in the oven and with microwave energy will be presented as well.