Study of Chemical Leaching of Aluminum from Red Mud

Abstract

In this project work red mud was utilized for study of aluminium extraction using acid leachates. Both organic and inorganic acids were used in the chemical leaching experiments. Sulphuric acid, Citric acid and Oxalic acid were used for leaching individually or in combined form with different ratios. High quantities of red mud is generated by alumina industries as a waste product which is generally stockpiled in open area leading to soil, air and water pollution because of its caustic nature. Red mud sample was collected from Vedanta Alumina Ltd, lanjhigarh (Odisha) and various constituents were analysed. Since aluminium is present nearly 8 % in the red mud , so if economically viable process is used to extract the aluminium then the extracted aluminium can further be used in the alumina industries. From observation it was seen that highest percentage of aluminium was solubilised with acid mixtures of citric acid and oxalic acid taken together in 2:1 ratio. Further it was found out that the extraction is better in the room temperature and low pH.