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ABSTRACT. The properties of Ukrainian apatite deposits (Fedorivske, Nosachivske and Kropyvnyanske) have been compared with those of Khibinsk phosphorites (Russia). The apatite concentrates chemical compositions has been compared. It has been shown that apatite concentrate of Ukrainian deposits may be used for the main purpose without any limits. Using X-ray investigations it was determined that fluorapatite is the main crystal phase of Ukrainian apatite concentrates and concentrate of Kropyvnyanske deposit contains fluorapatite hydroxide. SEM-investigations of the form and sizes of apatite mineral particles did not show essential differences between Ukrainian and Russian apatites that allows to predict their similar technological parameters of treatment.
KEYWORDS: apatite, deposit, concentrate, technology, fluorapatite, chemical composition, X-ray analysis, SEM.
1. INTRODUCTION
Nowadays phosporites of North Africa and Middle East are the main raw materials for the production of phosphorous-containing fertilizers in Ukraine. At the same time Ukraine has the significant apatite deposits. Thus, for example, Stremygorodske deposit of apatite-titanium-ilmenite ores with reserves by P2O5 of 31.8 mln.t and Novopoltavske deposit of apatite-less common metals with reserves of 791 mln.t with P2O5 average content of 5.2 % are the most explored and prospective ones [1, 2]. Moreover, one of the perspective ways of domestic apatite concentrate production is joint extraction and dressing of ilmenite and apatite ores from new titanium-apatite deposits, such as Fedorivske, Nosachivske and Kropyvnyanske. The ores from these deposits were investigated as a potential raw material for the production of phosphorous-containing fertilizers.
2. DEPOSIT'S INVESTIGATIONS
The chemical composition of apatite concentrate from the above-mentioned deposits are compared with that of Russian apatite. The results are represented in Table 1.
While studying the chemical composition of apatite concentrate from Fedorivske and Nosachivske deposits it was established that the content of P2O5 assimilated form in the samples is small and this value is higher in raw material fines. The iron content varies insignificantly. One can see from Table 1 that Mg, Al2O3 and Fe2O3 contents in the samples from Fedorivske and Nosachivske deposits slightly differ from those...