Title: Study on Bayer digestion behaviour of low grade bauxite with high sulphur

Authors: Xuejiao Zhou; Yongli Chen; Jianguo Yin; Wentang Xia; Xiaoli Yuan; Xiaoyan Xiang

Addresses: School of Metallurgy and Environment, Central South University, No. 932, South Lushan Road, Changsha, Hunan 410083, China; School of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Chongqing University of Science and Technology, No. 20, East Road of University Town, Shapingba District, Chongqing 401331, China ' School of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Chongqing University of Science and Technology, No. 20, East Road of University Town, Shapingba District, Chongqing 401331, China ' School of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Chongqing University of Science and Technology, No. 20, East Road of University Town, Shapingba District, Chongqing 401331, China ' School of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Chongqing University of Science and Technology, No. 20, East Road of University Town, Shapingba District, Chongqing 401331, China ' School of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Chongqing University of Science and Technology, No. 20, East Road of University Town, Shapingba District, Chongqing 401331, China ' School of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Chongqing University of Science and Technology, No. 20, East Road of University Town, Shapingba District, Chongqing 401331, China

Abstract: Low grade bauxite with high sulphur is rich in nature but difficult to be applied industrially. Sulphur in bauxite leads to a series of remarkable negative effects in Bayer process. This work is focused on the dissolution behaviour of sulphur, iron and aluminium from a low grade bauxite. The process parameters such as holding time, alkali concentration and temperature were optimised. Scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction and X-ray fluorescence spectrometer were used to characterise the morphology, phase and composition of the bauxite and residue. The results indicate that the relative dissolution rate of aluminium can approach to 75%. The increase in iron dissolution rate enhances the sulphur dissolution rate, enlightening us that it is possible to remove sulphur and iron simultaneously by the seed precipitation for high sulphur bauxite. This research is a novel technical support and theory guidelines for utilising the low grade bauxite with high sulphur.

Keywords: low grade bauxite with high sulphur; diaspore; pyrite; Bayer digestion; dissolution rate; simultaneous removal of sulphur and iron.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMMP.2018.096141

International Journal of Microstructure and Materials Properties, 2018 Vol.13 No.3/4, pp.173 - 184

Received: 08 Feb 2018
Accepted: 29 May 2018

Published online: 13 Nov 2018 *

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