Integrating coal combustion and red mud sintering at an alumina refinery

The fuel cost at an alumina refinery can be significantly reduced by shifting steam generation from gas or oil to coal use. The sorbent that can be applied for the cleaning of fuel gases is a regular red mud copiously dumped at alumina refineries. It is possible to combine coal combustion and red mud low-temperature sintering to recover remaining alumina and caustic from a red mud. The integrated technology, based on a combination of known processes, will provide advantages over other methods that are currently being used. For more information, contact V.L. Rayzman, 933 Regal Road, Encinitas, California 92024.