Evaluation of Main Factors for Improvement of the Scandium Leaching Process from Russian Bauxite Residue (Red Mud) in Carbonate Media

Abstract

The carbonate leaching of scandium from the landfilled bauxite residue (red mud) of the Bogoslovsky Aluminum Plant (Russia) and samples of red mud (RM) after alkaline pretreatment has been investigated. The results of kinetic studies allowing to compare and evaluate the effectiveness of different conditions and intensification factors in the process of scandium leaching from RM in carbonate/bicarbonate media are presented. It was determined that for 2.0 mol L–1 Na2CO3 leaching solution ultrasonic treatment under gas (CO2) carbonation conditions in the pH range of 9.5–10.0 allows reducing the scandium leaching time by two times and reaching 40–45% scandium extraction. Leaching of RM in carbonate/bicarbonate media is accompanied by secondary processes (adsorption, hydrolysis, and coprecipitation) leading to a decrease in scandium extraction. The obtained results allow improving understanding of scandium chemical behavior in complex aqueous carbonate/bicarbonate systems and can be used for the optimization of the alternative carbonate process for scandium extraction from RM.