Hydrothermal processing is an established technology that contributes to several sectors of industrial chemistry, including synthesis and purification of materials and pharmaceuticals as well as mineral processing. In this contribution, we present and discuss a novel potassium fertilizer obtained via alkaline hydrothermal processing of pulverized K-feldspar (T=200 °C; P~15atm). The processed powder is characterized by laser-diffraction Particle Size Distribution (PSD), X-ray Powder Diffraction (XRPD), electron microprobe and leaching tests, confirming the fertilizing properties of the material. Industrial chemistry considerations on scale up and cost, absence of waste and abundance of the raw materials identify the proposed hydrothermal route as an affordable alternative to underground mining of soluble potassium salts.

Hydrothermal processing of K-feldspar ore for industrial production of affordable potash fertilizers

254th National Meeting (2017)

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