Rusal's joint company uses acid method to produce alumina

According to news from Moscow on October 14, RUSAL developed an acid process to produce alumina and use acid to treat non-bauxite raw materials. The technology can use its domestic kaolin to replace imported bauxite, resulting in lower material costs and logistics costs, which greatly enhance the economic benefits of the RUSAL smelter. Using this technology to produce alumina, it is also possible to produce some high-demand products at the same time, including silica and rare earth metal-based products.

At present, experts from the company's Engineering Technology Center are working with academic and educational institutions to conduct a series of research and development work. The formulation of the process flow plan, the laboratory tests in the main stages of the process, the evaluation of the Siberian kaolin clay deposit and the evaluation of the material quality have been completed, and the production and operating costs have been calculated.

In early 2016, the acid method will be used to produce 1 kg of alumina per hour of demonstration equipment. The device adopts a closed-loop system, mainly testing technology models, as well as confirming energy consumption indicators and product quality.

On this basis, the company will further carry out feasibility studies and build an alumina plant with an annual output of more than one million tons.

Russia has a wealth of kaolin resources and has proven reserves available for more than 200 years. The United States, Canada, China, Norway, and Australia have conducted many years of research on alumina production using non-bauxite resources (kaolin, fly ash, etc.). This technology has a strong competitive advantage. Since the company started the project in 2012, it has been committed to the research of acid technology and has made significant progress.