Application of statistical design of experiments in the study of dissolution of Goethite (alpha-FeOOH) in hydrochloric acid in the presence of ascorbic acid

Abstract

Goethite dissolution studies were carried out using a statistical design of experiments, and process parameters were further optimized. A regression equation for the dissolution of iron was developed as a function of four parameters (acid concentration, temperature, ascorbic acid concentration and time). All the parameters were varied at two levels for designing experiments and six base level experiments were also carried out to estimate error and standard deviation. The dissolution process was further optimized by the method of steepest ascent using the results of statistical design of experiments. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.