Extraction of Alumina from Low-grade Jajarm᾿s Bauxite by Lime Soda Sintering Method

Hazrati, Raheleh; Rostami, Shahram; Marahem, Sadegh

doi:10.22044/jme.2025.16231.3146

Document Type : Original Research Paper

Authors

Minerals Application Research Centre in the West of Country, Azarshahr, Iran

10.22044/jme.2025.16231.3146

Abstract

The components of low-grade bauxite were 28.4% silica, 34.9% alumina, 16.1% iron oxide as ferric oxide and 11.26% loss on ignition. Due to the high silica content of this type of bauxite, it couldn’t be processed by Bayer method. Therefore, a sintering method with limestone and sodium carbonate was used for selective extraction of alumina. Experimental design was performed by surface response method (RSM) using central composite design. Selected parameters were temperature, soaking time, mole ratio of sodium oxide to alumina, mole ratio of calcium oxide to silica. The maximum amount of extraction of alumina from low-grade Jajarm bauxite by sintering method was 74.2%, which was obtained in the optimal values of the parameters as follows: A temperature of 1157°C, a soaking time of 35 minutes, a mole ratio of alkaline oxide (K₂O + Na₂O) of 1.25 and a mole ratio of calcium oxide to silica of 1.99. In 31 run experiments, the mixture of materials powder was transferred to an alumina crucible and heated in a muffle furnace at temperatures and soaking times determined by the experimental design. The sintered material was pulverized. The resulting powder was leached by 150 mL of a boiling alkaline solution (20 g/L NaOH + 20g/L Na₂CO₃) for 30 minutes at a stirring speed of 300rpm. Extracted aluminum from the leaching stage was analyzed by atomic absorption spectrometry.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Mineral Processing

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Extraction of Alumina from Low-grade Jajarm᾿s Bauxite by Lime Soda Sintering Method

References

References

Volume 16, Issue 6September and October 2025Pages 2069-2077

Volume 16, Issue 6
September and October 2025
Pages 2069-2077