Caustic and alumina recovery from Bayer residues

Abstract

The Bayer process is not suitable for alumina production from high silica bauxites due to the high caustic and alumina loss into the Bayer residue. In this study, caustic and alumina recovery from the Bayer residue by various processes, such as sintering, lime treatment and hydro-processing etc, is analyzed and compared theoretically. The most important target to treat Bayer residue for the recovery of these products is to find an efficient Desilication Product (DSP) containing less alumina and caustic soda by some suitable and efficient processes.