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Abstract

A process for the manufacture of pure amorphous silica from rocks containing non-crystalline silica is described. The process comprises the steps of: (a) dissolution of said rock in an alkaline solution comprising sodium hydroxide and sodium carbonate, obtaining a solution of sodium silicate; (b) precipitation of pure amorphous silica by adding sodium bicarbonate into said sodium silicate and co-producing sodium carbonate, the weight ratio between SiO.sub.2 and Na.sub.2 O in said dissolution step is in the range of between 0.5 to 3.0; and (c) the sodium carbonate solution is transformed into crystalline sodium bicarbonate, by a salting out reaction with sodium chloride, being recycled to the process. According to a preferred embodiment, the alkaline solution is obtained by the caustification of sodium carbonate with calcium hydroxide. The preferred concentration of sodium hydroxide in said dissolution step is in the range of 4% to 14% by weight.

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First Claim