Characteristic, hazard and iron recovery technology of red mud - A critical review

The chemical and mineral composition of the red mud from the Ural Aluminum Plant were studied by XRF, XRD, and Mössbauer spectroscopy. Experiments on reductive smelting of red mud were carried out in a range of temperatures (1650–1750 °C) to recover iron from the aluminum production waste with maximum efficiency. It was found that it is possible to obtain pig iron with a high content of titanium, phosphorus, and vanadium, and low sulfur content. The efficiency of iron recovery at 1750 °C was found to be around 98%. Thermodynamic calculations were carried out to assist in finding the optimal conditions for the process (e.g., carbon content, furnace temperature, slag liquidus temperature). It was also found that the pig iron phase obtained at 1650 to 1700 °C is not separated from the slag phase into ingot compared with the sample obtained at 1750 °C. Pig iron obtained at 1750 °C can be used to produce molds for the steel-casting equipment.

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Bayern`s Method of Al2O3 Production – Possibilities of Red Mud Disposal and Utilization

Solid State Phenomena ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/ssp.176.11 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 176 ◽

pp. 11-20 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Mariola Saternus

Keyword(s):

Chemical Composition ◽

Red Mud ◽

Building Materials ◽

Short Description ◽

Iron Recovery ◽

Alumina Production ◽

Advantages And Disadvantages ◽

Primary Aluminium

Bayern`s method is the first stage of obtaining primary aluminium. The product of this process is alumina. The paper presents how much alumina was produced in the last couple of years and who were its leading producers. As the main ore for alumina production is bauxite; it was necessary to describe its characteristics: chemical composition and types of bauxites. Short description of the method (digestion, precipitation and calcination) was presented. During this process a lot of pollution is usually emitted to the atmosphere, but mostly a lot of red mud is generated. This is the main waste of the process, which at the same time is very harmful to the environment. The ways red mud is disposed or utilized were reviewed. Two kinds of red mud disposal are known: wet and dry disposal. Both were characterized and their advantages and disadvantages were outlined. The possibilities of red mud utilization were shown. The focus was put on iron recovery or recovery of compounds such as Al2O3 or TiO2. The use of red mud in building materials was discussed. Radioactivity of such materials was also analyzed. Possibility of red mud utilization as a pigment and radiopaque material was also mentioned.

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