Mathematical Model Formation of the Process of Deriving Boric Acid From Ulexite Mineral by Full Factorial Design Method

Abstract

Ulexite is a sodium calcium boron hydrate used in producing compounds, its chemical formula is Na2O2CaO5B2O3.16H2O, and it superabounds in Turkey. One of the significant boron compounds derived from boron minerals is boric acid. The aim of this study is producing boric acid in the wake of interaction of ulexite with hydrochloric acid solution, and offering an alternative process to producing boric acid by forming the mathematical model of this processing. Full factorial design method has been used in the study. Some of the parameters used in the process have been made steady, and the others have been accepted as variable factor in formation of mathematical model. Invariant parameters are granule size, reaction time and stirring speed. Hydrochloric acid concentration has been accepted as temperature and solid to liquid ratio variable factors for the formation of mathematical model. Primarily, the mathematical model of the process and three-parameter full factorial desing have been evaluated in the measureless coordinate system, then the values in the model has been assessed by Student criteria, and the validity of the originated model has been controlled by Fisher criteria. Henceforwards the current model of the process has been formed in the real coordinate system.