An investigation on the production of sodium metaborate dihydrate from ulexite by using trona and lime

In this study, it was investigated the optimum conditions (extraction temperature and extraction period) for the production of sodium metaborate dihydrate (NaBO2.2H2O) by the reaction of ulexite (NaCaB5O9·8H2O) with trona (NaHCO3-Na2CO3·2H2O) and lime (CaO). The optimum extraction conditions were determined as 50 °C and higher temperature; 6 h and longer extraction time. The characterizations of the product (sodium metaborate dihydrate crystals) were performed by thermogravimetric (TG-DTG) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses. In addition, the percent purity of the product was found to be 96% by using a conductometric method.

► Optimum conditions for production of NaBO2.2H2O by using ulexite, trona and lime were investigated.
► Optimum extraction conditions were determined as 50 °-higher temperature; 6 h-longer time.
► The characterizations of product were performed by TG-DTG and XRD analyses.
► Percent purity of product was found to be 96% by using a conductometric method.