Mathematical approach to the study of the mullite synthesis process

Today the introduction of «smart» automated systems is the basis in system engineering and operations management in various industries, but not yet widespread in the field of mineral processing. The object of the study is the process of interphase changes of kaolinite (Vezhayu-Vorykvinsky deposit, Knyazhpogost district, Komi Republic) during thermal treatment at a temperature range of 25-1200 °C. XRD examinations (Rietveld method and Profex programs) were carried out for quantitative estimation of the phase transformations. XRD patterns were processed by algorithms for determining the positions and heights of peaks implemented in the Python programming language. We obtained a novel simplified mathematical model of kaolinite phase transformations during mullite synthesis based on XRD. The main parameters, influencing the kinetics of mullite synthesis process, have been specified.