Bauxite residue utilization alternatives were classified by Klauber et al. (2011) into three valuable opportunities studied by several researchers:
- construction and chemical applications (Dimas et al., 2009; Zhang et al., 2010),
- environmental and agronomic applications (Snars et al., 2004; Snars and Gilkes, 2009; Li et al., 2010; Lombi et al., 2002a, 2002b; Summers et al.,1993, 1996; Summers and Pech, 1997; Feigl et al., 2012)
- metallurgic applications (Smirnov and Molchanova, 1997; Zhang et al., 2011; Liu and Li, 2015; Ujaczki et al. 2017a,b).
Examples of bauxite residue utilization options investigated at the Aluminium of Greece refinery (AoG) in collaboration with a number of institutions are summarised in the attached photo.
Source of photo: http://www.sagalradio.org/guides/reduce-reuse-recycle-guide-giving-back-...
Klauber, C., Gräfe, M., Power, G., 2011. Bauxite residue issues: II. options for residue utilization. Hydrometallurgy 108, 11–32. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hydromet.2011.02.007
Dimas, D.D., Ioanna, P., Panias, D., 2009. Utilization of alumina red mud for synthesis of inorganic polymeric materials. Miner. Process. Extr. Metall. Rev. 30 (3), 211–239. https://doi.org/10.1080/08827500802498199
Zhang, G., He, J., Gambauxite residueell, R.P., 2010. Synthesis, characterization and mechanical properties of red mud-based geopolymers. Transport Res. Rec. 2167, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.3141/2167-01
Snars, K.E., Gilkes, R.J., Wong, M., 2004. The liming effect of bauxite processing residue (red mud) on sandy soils. Aust. J. Soil Res. 42 (3), 321–328. https://doi.org/10.1071/SR03021
Snars, K.E, Gilkes, R.J., 2009. Evaluation of bauxite residues (red muds) of different origins for environmental applications. Appl. Clay Sci. 46 (1), 13–20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clay.2009.06.014
Li, J.Y., Wang, N., Xu, R.K., Tiwari, D., 2010. Potential of industrial byproducts in ameliorating acidity and aluminum toxicity of soils under tea plantation. Pedosphere 20 (5), 645–654. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1002-0160(10)60054-9
Lombi, E., Zhao, F. J., Zhang, G., Sun, B., Fitz, W., Zhang, H., McGrath, S. P., 2002a. In situ fixation of metals in soils using bauxite residue: chemical assessment. Environ. Pollut. 118 (3), 435–443. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0269-7491(01)00294-9
Lombi, E., Zhao, F.J., Wieshanumer, G., 2002b. In situ fixation of metals in soils using bauxite residue: Biological effects. Environ. Pollut. 118, 445–452. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0269-7491(01)00295-0
Summers, R.N., Guise, N.R., Smirk, D.D., 1993. Bauxite residue (red mud) increases phosphorus retention in sandy soil catchment in Western Australia. Fertil. Res. 34, 85–94. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00749964
Summers, R.N., Guise, N.R., Smirk, D.D., Summers, K.J., 1996. Bauxite residue (red mud) improved pasture growth on sandy soils in Western Australia. J. Soil Res. 34, 569–581. http://www.publish.csiro.au/sr/SR9960569
Summers, R.N., Pech, J.D., 1997. Nutrient and metal content of water, sediment and soils amended with bauxite residue in the catchment of the Peel Inlet and Harvey Estuary, Western Australia. Agric. Ecosyst. Environ.64 (3), 219–232. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0167-8809(97)00040-6
Feigl, V., Anton, A., Uzinger, N., Gruiz, K., 2012. Red mud as a chemical stabilizer for soil contaminated with toxic metals. Water Air Soil Pollut. 223 (3), 1237–1247. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-011-0940-4
Smirnov, D.I., Molchanova, T.V., 1997. The investigation of sulphuric acid sorption recovery of scandium and uranium from the red mud of alumina production. Hydrometallurgy 45, 249–259. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0304-386X(96)00070-9
Zhang, R., Zheng, S., Ma, S., Zhang, Y., 2011. Recovery of alumina and alkali in Bayer red mud by the formation of andradite-grossular hydrogarnet in hydrothermal process. J. Hazard. Mater. 189, 827–835. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2011.03.004
Liu, Z., Li, H., 2015. Metallurgical process for valuable elements recovery from red mud–A review. Hydrometallurgy 155, 29–43. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hydromet.2015.03.018
Ujaczki É., Zimmermann Y.S., Gasser C.A., Molnár M., Feigl V., Lenz M. (2017) Red mud as secondary source for critical raw materials – Extraction study. J. Chem. Technol. Biot. 92 (11), 2835–2844. https://doi.org/10.1002/jctb.5300
Ujaczki É., Zimmermann Y.S., Gasser C.A., Molnár M., Feigl V., Lenz M. (2017) Red mud as secondary source for critical raw materials – Purification of rare earth elements by liquid/liquid extraction. J. Chem. Technol. Biot. 92 (10), 2683–2690. https://doi.org/10.1002/jctb.5300