Extraction of Pure Silicon from Tiger River Sediments in Iraq by using Pure Aluminum As Reducing Agent

Abstract

Year after year, the sediments of the Tigris River in Iraq are increasing, causing the river clogs, which requires the removal of these sediments from time to time. Unfortunately, they do not benefit from these deposits, although they contain high levels of silica, which concentrations were between 59 - 66%. Pure aluminum powder mixed with sediments at different ratio (1:1, 1.5:1 and 2:1) sediments/aluminum. The reducing temperatures were 900, 950 and 1000 °C. leaching process was used to purified the silica. This process was carried out by using different concentrations (3,4 and 5)M of sulfuric acid to obtain silicon element. The purity of produced silicon reached to 98. 9%. with of extraction efficiency more than (88%).