A Sustainable
Green Approach towards the Production of High Purity Alumina from Waste Aluminium
Dross
Ghosh Biswajit, Tripathy Bankim Chandra, Jayaseelan Christine and Sen Mousumi
Res. J. Chem. Environ.; Vol. 29(4); 15-25;
doi: https://doi.org/10.25303/294rjce015025; (2025)
Abstract
Solid waste encompasses various materials discarded from homes, industries and construction
including organic, paper, plastic, metal, glass and hazardous waste. Recycling is
crucial for environmental preservation, involving the collection, processing and
conversion of waste into reusable materials, mitigating greenhouse gas emissions
and conserving landfill space. Bauxite, treated with alkaline leaching, yields aluminium
and derivatives. Accumulation poses environmental risks, leaching harmful substances.
Despite hazards, it is a valuable alumina source. Processing is challenging; remelting
with salts recovers metal. A complex method involves soda-roasting, alkali leaching
and purification, with around 90% alumina recovery. Chemical recycling is a key
advantage. Resulting aluminium hydroxide is primarily bayerite. The aluminium hydroxide
was then put through calcinations, resulting in the formation of high purity alumina,
aluminium chloride, aluminium sulphate water purifiers, steel making accelerators,
building materials, refractory materials, composite materials etc.
The study involved examining the characterization of SAD and its refined products
through a range of analytical techniques including thermodynamic analysis, X-ray
diffraction analysis, X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared
analysis and chemical analysis respectively. The results show that aluminium dross
is not only be used only to efficiently extract high purity alumina compounds, but
also to effectively achieve the green disposal of toxic components in SAD and to
achieve its high-value utilization and thereby avoiding stockpiling.
