Patent · US Expired

Recovery of sodium aluminate from Bayer process red mud

US4668485A · kind A · utility

10Cited by
11References
9Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 10, 1985
Grant dateMay 26, 1987
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 10, 2005

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
  • CPC primaryC01F11/48
  • WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

A process for recovery of valuable products from Bayer process red mud comprises the steps: (a) digesting red mud with sulphur dioxide in the presence of water to dissolve soda, alumina and silica therein; (b) heating the product of step (a), with or without prior removal of insolubles, to selectively precipitate silica, and removing solids including the precipitated silica, to produce a liquor containing soda and alumina; (c) causticizing the liquor to precipitate calcium sulphite; and (d) separating the precipitated calcium sulphite from the liquor to produce calcium sulphite and sodium aluminate solution as products. In a preferred embodiment calcium sulphite produced in step (c) is calcined to regenerate lime and sulphur dioxide for recycle to the liquor causticization and red mud digestion stages respectively, and sodium aluminate produced in step (d) is returned to the Bayer process.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.