ADVANCES IN LIQUOR CLARIFICATION AND MUD FLOCCULATION IN THE BAYER PROCESS ALUMINA INDUSTRY
Hunter, T.K., Moody, G.M. and Tran, C.A.
The effect of Bayer process alumina liquor strength on the performance of synthetic flocculants has been well documented for some years.
Recently it has been shown that flocculation can also be very dependent on the presence of other dissolved ions.
Results are presented to demonstrate these effects on liquor clarification, mud settling and mud compaction all of which can influence production capacity and purity of the final product, alumina.
In combination with these effects, improvements in primary decanter overflow liquor clarity and alumina hydrate recovery that have been obtained with a novel biopolymer, are also described.