Value added metal extraction from red mud

Abstract

In the presented thesis work, utilization of red mud for extraction of value added product is discussed. Huge quantity of red mud is being generated by aluminium industry which is a potentially hazardous material and creating environmental pollution. Red mud samples collected from Nalco Indicates apart from Iron oxide the other phase of interest is titanium oxide. In the present work Ferro titanium extraction is tried by carbothermic reduction in export arc plasma furnace utilizing both nitrogen and Argon as the ionizing gases. Also for efficient extraction of metallic phases lime has been added to generate slagging phases which melts at comparatively lower temperature. Also in the present work, Aluminium dross has been added to the charge material to facilitate the metal extraction at a comparatively lower temperature .After fusion the fused material is crushed to separate the metal and gaunge phase which has been characterised by XRD and microscopy. The analysis indicates good degree of metallization in form of Ferro-titanium.