Novel Method of Bauxite Treatment Using Electroreductive Bayer Process

Reductive leaching in the Bayer cycle using iron (2+) allows for Al extraction to be significantly increased through magnetization of Al-goethite and Al-hematite. However, use expensive salts or powder as a source leads significant increase production costs. In this work, feasibility new method, reductive bauxite an electrolysis process, was investigated. The reduction minerals boehmitic both solution purely alkaline solutions carried out. Experiments were performed plate cathode suspension solution, well bulk with stainless-steel mesh at bottom cell current supply. During potential relative reference electrode measured function different concentrations solid (100–300 g L−1) temperatures (95–120 °C). It shown that efficiency predominant deposition Fe did not exceed 50% even addition magnetite contact phase With cathode, led predominantly formation electric more than 80%. As result preliminary desilication electroreduction, it possible extract 98% from content residue 57–58%.