Complex reprocessing of industrial alkaline waste of alumina production (red mud) for solving raw materials and environmental problems

Red mud are industrial large-scale toxic wastes of bauxite ore processing according to the Bayer method. They contain macrocomponents such as iron, aluminum, calcium, silicon, as well as a number of the most valuable and critical metals (microcomponents): scandium, gallium, germanium and rare earth elements (REEs), which are used in modern high-tech industry. Due to the relatively high content of scandium and REEs, red mud can be considered as a promising secondary source. Significant amounts of accumulated red mud and new flows of this waste entering the slime storage facilities need to be processed to obtaine the required valuable products. Development of complex reprocessing approach play an important role in addressing the problem of the elimination of red mud as toxic waste. Within the framework of this subject, the report considers the concept of complex reprocessing of Bogoslovsky Aluminum Plant (Russia) red mud, which includes the extraction of aluminum, scandium, REEs, zirconium and the production of iron-containing concentrate for ferrous metallurgy. The use of low-aggressive carbonate media and carbonation method using carbon dioxide gas characterizes this approach as more environmentally and technologically safe. The development of effective technology for utilization of red mud will not only provide a source of critical raw materials, but also solve the global environmental problem.

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Current key options for management of industrial alkaline waste of alumina production (red mud)

E3S Web of Conferences ◽

10.1051/e3sconf/202128401003 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 284 ◽

pp. 01003

Author(s):

Htet Ye Aung ◽

Alexander Boyarintsev ◽

Sergey Stepanov ◽

Andrei Shoustikov

Keyword(s):

Red Mud ◽

Large Scale ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Industrial Wastes ◽

Toxic Waste ◽

Alumina Production ◽

The Sustainable Development ◽

The World ◽

Liquid Products ◽

Bauxite Ore

Due to the ever-increasing demand of the world economy for aluminum, its alloys and compounds, the production of this metal is increasing annually throughout the world. This leads to an increase in the industrial production of alumina, which is obtained from bauxite ore in the Bayer process. After recovering the bulk of the aluminum from the bauxite ore, there remains a residue which is highly alkaline toxic waste, which is also called bauxite residues (tailings) or red mud (RM). About 140-150 million tons of RM are produced annually and almost 4 billion tons have already been accumulated. At the moment, the problem of RM recycling and the development of effective and cost-effective approaches to their reprocessing is extremely urgent. Reducing RM affects economic, environmental, social areas and is a prerequisite for the sustainable development of nature and society. Despite active scientific research and efforts to develop and optimize various methods for RM recycling and reprocessing, the problem of an annual increase in their volumes around the world remains unresolved. Recently, promising and efficient processes have been proposed that allows for the complex reprocessing of RM with the extraction of a number of valuable liquid products that may be in demand in various fields of industry. This allows to focus on large-scale disposal of RM and can be a solution to the problem of handling these industrial wastes. The article considers the main current trends in the field of management of various types of RM with a focus on complex reprocessing and zero waste concepts.

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Clusters in Africa's Economy as a Perspective Model of Production

Outlines of global transformations politics economics law ◽

10.23932/2542-0240-2021-14-2-9 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (2) ◽

pp. 164-175

Author(s):

L. N. Kalinichenko ◽

E. V. Morozenskaya

Keyword(s):

Large Scale ◽

Production Efficiency ◽

Industrial Revolution ◽

Raw Materials ◽

High Tech ◽

Industrial Growth ◽

Market Expansion ◽

Regional Market ◽

Space Organization ◽

Perspective Model

For attracting private capital to the economy, African governments allocate territories for commercial and industrial use within Special Economic Zones (SEZ). This is an important factor in export diversification (primarily of manufactured products), expanding country’s participation in global value chains, and creating new jobs. Despite different specialization from labor-intensive (textile production, agriculture, etc.) to high-tech sectors, most of the existing SEZs are ineffective due to the underdevelopment of African markets, weak competition, large-scale corruption, but to a large extent - as a result of insufficient interconnection between individual producers.Economic space organization through the creation of clusters - production efficiency and the emergence of a special type of competition -allows them to use common infrastructure, labor and raw materials markets; jointly export products; exchange knowledge and technologies, which is significant in terms of the industrial revolution 4.0. Clusters have the characteristics of “growth poles” - territorial conglomerates that, due to their special position and infrastructural advantages, become locomotives of industrial growth, spreading to other regions.This is especially important given the prevalence of highly inefficient micro, small and medium-sized companies in African economies, a significant part of which is in the informal sector. Clusters, emerging as a rule “from below”, can turn into structure-forming elements of the economy (both at the national and regional levels), but only on condition of organizational and financial support from individual states and their economic communities. This is in the African economies interest, as evidenced by their gradual reorientation towards the domestic market development, as well the regional market expansion within the framework of integration associations.

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ERA-MIN2 AUREOLE project : tArgeting eU cRitical mEtals (Sb, W) and predictibility of Sb-As-Hg envirOnmentaL issuEs

10.5194/egusphere-egu2020-17873 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Eric Gloaguen ◽

Pablo Higueras ◽

Giada Iacono-Marziano ◽

Alexandre Lima ◽

Daniel Pierre ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Environmental Risk ◽

Flame Retardants ◽

Large Scale ◽

Raw Materials ◽

Ore Deposits ◽

Earth Surface ◽

Critical Metals ◽

Metallogenic Model ◽

New Findings ◽

Mineral Prospectivity

Antimony (Sb) is a critical metal for Europe. Indeed, Sb is widely used in a variety of industrial operations, especially in the European aircraft industry, such as production of flame retardants, plastics, paint pigments, glassware and ceramics, alloys in ammunition and battery manufacturing plants.Despite its strategic importance, the knowledge on Sb and its ore deposits remains poorly constrained. Moreover, Europe remains under the threat of an essentially Chinese supply despite a proven potential for European deposits that contain also strategic and precious co-products (W, Au). In parallel, Sb and associated metalloids (As, Hg, etc) are more and more recognised as a global threat for human health and it has been demonstrated that most of elevated concentrations of Sb on earth surface originate from natural, geogenic sources. Then, a first large-scale identification of these areas where primaries resources occur and metalloids can contaminate humans should be a priority.To achieve its objectives, the overall approach of the ERA-MIN2 AUREOLE project (2019-2022 - https://aureole.brgm.fr) is based on disruptive concepts: i) development of a 3D large-scale metallogenic model integrating deep-seated processes to determine the spatial distribution of ore deposits; ii) the use of mineral prospectivity data weighted by surface data to determine the probability of environmental risk over large areas.The work package (WP) 1 is dedicated to produce the new 3D deep-seated metallogenic model for antimony mineralisations and contribute to the global 3D understanding of the Sb mineralising processes. The WP2 is designed to the understanding of processes - such as geomorphology, weathering, climate - that control the mobilisation and transport of metalloids at the earth surface. The WP3 will use results from WPs 1 & 2 to produce large-scale mineral prospectivity and a large-scale environmental risk assessment by weighting mineral prospectivity with earth surface properties, such as DTM, rainfall, weathering cartographic maps, etc.The AUREOLE project will bring new scientific knowledge on Sb and Sb deposits, for a better mineral exploration targeting.The expected outcomes will be several high-impact deliverables devoted to the targeting of new Sb deposits and a new large-scale environmental assessment maps for decision-making dealing with humans health. Long term expected impacts would be an increase of EU Sb resources and EU Sb sustainable supply. Because of its implications for European critical metals, the AUREOLE project will provide new findings and results to the SCRREEN project (Solutions for Critical Raw Materials &#8211; a European Expert Network) and to the IMP@CT project (Integrated Mobile Modularised Plant and Containerised Tools for sustainable, selective, low-impact mining of small, high-grade or complex deposits). It will also interact with the Geo-ERA FRAME project (Forecasting and assessing Europe&#8217;s strategic raw materials needs).

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Russian Transnational Corporations in Services’ Sphere

World Economy and International Relations ◽

10.20542/0131-2227-2011-7-71-80 ◽

2011 ◽

pp. 71-80

Author(s):

A. Kuznetsov

Keyword(s):

Structural Adjustment ◽

Large Scale ◽

Raw Materials ◽

High Tech ◽

Current Configuration ◽

Russian Economy ◽

The World ◽

Market Situation ◽

Financial Base ◽

National Economies

In 2000, Russia took the 27th place in the world ranking in terms of annual volume of outgoing FDI. In 2008, Russia joined the top 10. However, due to the ongoing structural adjustment of the world economy in the near future the Russian exporters of raw materials and semi-processed goods should not expect an equally favorable market situation that had provided the financial base for large-scale investment abroad. There is a global FDI trend towards a gradual shift in favor of the sectors of high-tech industries and dynamically progressing services’ sphere. At the same time, the leading TNCs continue to determine the competitiveness of national economies and to exert a significant impact on the current configuration of the international division of labor, transforming the global value chains. In this regard, it is important that external investment of the Russian corporations contribute to modernization of the domestic economy and do not constitute just a form of capital flight from the country. The article identifies reasons why some industries of the Russian economy have deployed a massive overseas expansion while others have failed to realize the potential of FDI.

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Theoretical, methodological and practical development in strategic management of agro-economic growth in regions of the Russian Federation within the context of global and national trends in the formation of integrated economic relations

LAPLAGE EM REVISTA ◽

10.24115/s2446-622020217extra-a788p.155-160 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (Extra-A) ◽

pp. 155-160

Author(s):

Zhansurat Sultanovna Zhangorazova ◽

Eldar Safarovich Bakkuev ◽

Elvira Ruslanovna Kokova ◽

Rukiyat Omarovna Ugurchieva ◽

Tatyana Evgenievna Khorolskaya

Keyword(s):

Economic Growth ◽

Russian Federation ◽

Global Economy ◽

Large Scale ◽

Raw Materials ◽

Import Substitution ◽

High Tech ◽

Industrial Complex ◽

Resource Saving ◽

The Russian Federation

Modern conditions for the global economy development clearly indicate that the formation of competitive agrarian economy advantages in the Russian Federation is possible only with the use of an innovative development scenario and the large-scale use of the scientific and technological potential of high-tech industries. Of course, the complex of the most important criteria for the economic growth of the national economy determines the volume of the high-tech sector and the scientific and technical potential of the country at the present stage. The situation in the Russian market clearly implies the need for a quick solution to the main problems of developing high-tech sectors in the agro-industrial complex, accelerating import substitution and ensuring sustainable food security based on resource-saving technologies of agro-industrial production and deep processing of agricultural raw materials.

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Effect of Alkaline Activators to Engineering Properties of Geopolymer-Based Materials Synthesized from Red Mud

Key Engineering Materials ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/kem.777.508 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 777 ◽

pp. 508-512 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Van Quang Le ◽

Minch Quang Do ◽

Minh Duc Hoang ◽

Vo Thi Ha Quyen Pham ◽

Thu Ha Bui ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sodium Hydroxide ◽

Sodium Silicate ◽

Red Mud ◽

Raw Materials ◽

Sodium Hydroxide Solution ◽

Sodium Silicate Solution ◽

Silicate Solution ◽

High Heat ◽

Engineering Properties ◽

Alumina Production

Geopolymer is an inorganic polymer material formed from alumino-silicate structures. Geopolymer has many outstanding functions in comparison with ordinary materials such as high mechanical strength, high heat and chemical resistance, and lightweight property. The engineering properties of geopolymer-based materials depend on raw materials and synthesized conditions. In which, the aluminosilicate materials having high activity and consisting of many alkaline activators have the possibility of increasing pH in geopolymer paste. In the solution of paste, aluminosilicate compounds are solubilized and then react with alkali-activated ions to form geopolymeric networks. The geopolymer can be synthesized in many different conditions depending on factors of temperature, pressure, and curing conditions. In this study, red mud (RM) was used as the main alumino resource for geopolymerization process. RM is a solid waste residue being left from the mining process of bauxite ores with caustic soda for alumina production. Its disposal remains a global issue in terms of environmental concerns. Formation of RM-based geopolymer was affected by many factors, in which, the alkaline activators are the most important factor. This research was conducted with sodium hydroxide and sodium silicate solutions to elucidate the effect of alkaline activator ratio to the engineering properties of RM-based geopolymers. The results showed that the RM-based geopolymer used sodium silicate solution has more outstanding properties than RM-based geopolymer using sodium hydroxide solution.

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Red mud as secondary source for critical raw materials - extraction study

Journal of Chemical Technology & Biotechnology ◽

10.1002/jctb.5300 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 92 (11) ◽

pp. 2835-2844 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

Éva Ujaczki ◽

Yannick S Zimmermann ◽

Christoph A Gasser ◽

Mónika Molnár ◽

Viktória Feigl ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Red Mud ◽

Raw Materials ◽

Secondary Source ◽

Extraction Study ◽

Critical Raw Materials

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Carbonization processing of bauxite residue as an alternative rare metal recovery process

Tsvetnye Metally ◽

10.17580/tsm.2020.10.08 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 56-63

Author(s):

I. N. Pyagay ◽

◽

E. A. Kremcheev ◽

L. A. Pasechnik ◽

S. P. Yatsenko ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Red Mud ◽

Raw Materials ◽

Bauxite Residue ◽

Target Component ◽

Acid Activation ◽

Rare Metals ◽

Residual Moisture ◽

Alumina Production ◽

Carbonization Process ◽

Pregnant Solution

A prerequisite for commercial production of rare metals is a continuous effort given to developing knowledge-intensive recovery and refining techniques. Commonly known natural raw materials and conventional processing techniques, which are based on initial acid activation and recovery of minerals, as well as selective recovery of the target component (i.e. by sorption and extraction) cannot always ensure sufficient productivity or cost-effectiveness. This paper considers certain aspects of continued research in this area, which would require novel techniques. Such techniques should be based on new approaches allowing for the use of alternative raw materials to produce valuable rare metals on a cost-effective basis. It is demonstrated that red mud, i.e. waste material generated by bauxite industry and rich in scandium and other rare metals, can serve as such alternative source material. The paper describes the results of a study that looked at finding an optimum carbonization process for red mud that would ensure a consistent and predictable complexing process with regard to certain components. The paper also examines the environment in which soluble carbonate complexes can be stabilized and concentrated in the pregnant solution before the primary scandium-bearing concentrate can be recovered. The authors identified target parameters that determine enhanced filtration properties of carbonized slurry to ensure complete separation of the pregnant solution from the dehydrated (to the residual moisture content of 18%) carbonized residue. The paper highlights some positive factors of the carbonization process which enable a comprehensive utilization of alumina production waste. They include a long-term sequestration of carbon dioxide in the air and modified physical and chemical properties of red muds. This makes carbonized muds more compactable and thus more suitable for transportation and minimizes waste disposal hazards. The experimental research was carried out in conformance with the governmental assignments of the Institute of Solid State Chemistry of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences and Saint-Petersburg Mining University.

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Influence of Na2CO3 and K2CO3 Addition on Iron Grain Growth during Carbothermic Reduction of Red Mud

Metals ◽

10.3390/met9121313 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (12) ◽

pp. 1313 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Dmitry Zinoveev ◽

Pavel Grudinsky ◽

Andrey Zakunov ◽

Artem Semenov ◽

Maria Panova ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Magnetic Separation ◽

Grain Growth ◽

Red Mud ◽

Carbothermic Reduction ◽

Reduction Roasting ◽

Alumina Production ◽

Iron Aluminum ◽

Bauxite Ore ◽

Hsc Chemistry ◽

Sodium And Potassium

Red mud is a by-product of alumina production from bauxite ore by the Bayer method, which contains considerable amounts of valuable components such as iron, aluminum, titanium, and scandium. In this study, an approach was applied to extract iron, i.e., carbothermic reduction roasting of red mud with sodium and potassium carbonates followed by magnetic separation. The thermodynamic analysis of iron and iron-free components’ behavior during carbothermic reduction was carried out by HSC Chemistry 9.98 (Outotec, Pori, Finland) and FactSage 7.1 (Thermfact, Montreal, Canada; GTT-Technologies, Herzogenrath, Germany) software. The effects of the alkaline carbonates’ addition, as well as duration and temperature of roasting on the iron metallization degree, iron grains’ size, and magnetic separation process were investigated experimentally. The best conditions for the reduction roasting were found to be as follows: 22.01% of K2CO3 addition, 1250 °C, and 180 min of duration. As a generalization of the obtained data, the mechanism of alkaline carbonates’ influence on iron grain growth was proposed.

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