Effects of microwaves on the dehydration characteristics of santite

In this paper, by using the microwave irradiation, the dehydration curves of santite (KB₅O₈·4H₂O) were obtained and modeled. By using a different mathematical model, the kinetic parameters of the dehydration process were determined. The dehydration of santite was completed at 180, 105 and 60 min for 360, 600 and 800 W, respectively. The characterization techniques of X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and Raman spectroscopy were applied to the obtained santite mineral and dehydrated santite mineral. From the obtained XRD analysis, santite, its powder diffraction file number is 01-072-1688 transformed into an amorphous phase after the microwave dehydration process. From the FT-IR and Raman analyses, it can be said that partial dehydration was achieved due to the disappearance of structural H₂O bands but remaining some hydroxyl bands. For the modeling results, Verma model best fits the experimental data obtained from the dehydration and the dehydration activation energy was calculated as 11.92 kW?×?g^–1.