Production of Al(HI)-K(I)-Ti(IV)-sulphate-containing leach liquor from metakaolinite-containing ash derived from South African coal fines

South African discard coal fines and K2CO3 blends were heated in a laboratory-scale rotary kiln to produce ashes for H2SO4 leaching tests. The optimized H2SO4 leaching conditions of 6.12 mol.dm3 (M) H2SO4, solid to liquid ratios 1:5 and 1:10, and 8o°C for 8 hours were used. K2CO3 was added to increase the dissolution efficiency of K. The objective was to determine if the Al present in metakaolinite (Al2O3.2SiO2), the Al, K, and Ti in the alumino-silicate glasses, and the Ti in rutile (TiO2) in the ashes could be selectively dissolved in H2SO4. XRF results show that the ashes formed at 700°C dissolved more efficiently (87% Al, 89% K and 23% Ti) compared to the ashes formed at 1050°C. This can be attributed to the presence of Al2O3.2SiO2, K2CO3 melt, K2CO3 remnants, KAl(SO4)2, and K-aluminosilicate glass in these ashes. XRD results indicate that the ashes prepared at 1050°C contained anorthite (CaAl^Og), microcline (KAlSi3O8), pseudomullite (Al2.SiO2), and silicon spinel (2Al2O3.3SiO2), which are either insoluble or only sparingly soluble in H2SO4. These minerals resulted in the lower dissolution efficiencies of Al and K. Based on the high dissolution efficiencies of Al and K for the ashes produced at 700°C, coal fines blended with K2CO3 could possibly be utilized as feedstocks for the production of aluminium(III), potassium(I), and titanium(IV) and a sulphate-containing leach liquor. Furthermore, the environmental issues and costs associated with the handling and disposal of large volumes of coal fines will also be resolved.