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Abstract
Molten caustic leaching process is effective in reducing significant amounts of ash-forming minerals, pyritic sulfur, and organic sulfur from solid fossil fuels. The effect of leaching asphaltite samples from Seguruk and Harbul collieries of Sirnak and Silopi asphaltite fields (situated in the Southeast Anatolia region of Turkey) with molten sodium hydroxide and followed by mild acid on demineralization and desulfurization was investigated. The effects of alkali/asphaltite ratio, time, and temperature on the leaching efficiency were detailed, and the experimental results are presented here. Chemical demineralization and desulfurization of asphaltite samples using molten sodium hydroxide were investigated in the temperature range of 200°C–400°C. The percentage of demineralization and desulfurization increased with the increase in alkali/asphaltite ratio. The removal of total sulfur and ash increased with increasing leaching temperature and time. Most of the inorganic sulfur and a significant portion of the organic sulfur were removed.