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Recovery of alumina from fly ash: use of coal cleaning refuse as a mineralizer in the lime-sinter process

Conference ·
OSTI ID:6821036

The efficiency of alumina recovery from coal fly ash by the lime-sinter process is improved by the addition of a small amount of coal cleaning refuse. Approximately 5.0 wt % refuse increases alumina recovery from 55% to 90% for subbituminous coal ashes and reduces the required sintering temperature from 1380 to 1200/sup 0/C. Mixtures of fly ash and various amounts of coal cleaning refuse and limestone are sintered at different temperatures and lengths of time to determine the optimum processing conditions. X-ray diffraction analysis is used to obtain qualitative and quantitative information about the alumina compounds formed during sintering and to relate their formation to the amount of alumina recovered from the fly ash. Alumina compounds identified in the sintered mixtures are: calcium alumina ferrite (C/sub 4/AF), calcium aluminate (C/sub 12/A/sub 7/), calcium sulfoaluminate (C/sub 4/A/sub 3/S), and gehlenite (C/sub 2/AS). The C/sub 4/A/sub 3/S and C/sub 12/A/sub 7/ are soluble and account for 90 to 95% of the recovered alumina. The C/sub 4/AF and C/sub 2/AS are insoluble and remain in the solid residue. Other calcium aluminates such as CA or C/sub 3/A may form during sintering, but not in large enough quantities (less than 1 wt %) to be identified in the x-ray patterns obtained. The results of this work will be used for the further development and commercialization of the lime-sinter process for the recovery of alumina from coal fly ash. 11 references, 8 figures.

Research Organization:
Ames Lab., IA (USA); Iowa State Univ. of Science and Technology, Ames (USA). Dept. of Chemical Engineering
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-82
OSTI ID:
6821036
Report Number(s):
IS-M-478; CONF-831244-2; ON: DE84012840
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English