Improvement of processing characteristics of high carbonate and high silica diasporic bauxite by enriching roasting

Abstract

Behavior of rock forming minerals of Ural bauxite (diaspore, pyrite, carbonates, chamosite) was investigated in a wide range of temperatures depending on different conditions (size, temperature, holding time, atmosphere). Conditions were selected allowing to transfer diasporic material into an easier recoverable form and to reduce significantly the content of detrimental impurities (sulfur, carbonates, organic matter, moisture, ferrous iron). Investigation was made of process characteristics of roasted bauxite and feasibility is shown of its processing by a simplified Bayer cycle eliminating the necessity of soda, sulfates and other impurities removal from the process which brings about reduction in the cost as compared with processing of raw bauxite at Ural refineries. Copyright © 2014 by The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society.