Abstract
The microstructure of bauxite determines to a significant extent the opportunities for its beneficiation and optimum processing downstream. Adequate fine grinding commensurate with its microstructure may result in proper mineral liberation and grain size distribution required for effective ore dressing (i.e. H/M or magnetic separation) and digestion respectively. Particle size distribution, mean diameter and amount of ooidal grains as well as degree of dissemination of the impurities in polished sections of raw bauxite, ground bauxite and red mud samples were determined by means of scanning electron-microscope, electron probe micro-analyser and digital image analysis. The results of beneficiation tests (effective removal of liberated limestone but insufficient reduction of finely disseminated reactive silica) and the required digestion parameters of the mainly oolitic Greek diasporic and the Hungarian boehmitic (partly dolomitic) bauxite are discussed. Based on the microstructure, the effectiveness of beneficiation, the degree of grinding (required particle size) and also the necessary digestion parameters of any bauxite can be adequately predicted.
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Solymár, K., Mádai, F., Papanastassiou, D. (2016). Effect of Bauxite Microstructure on Beneficiation and Processing. In: Donaldson, D., Raahauge, B.E. (eds) Essential Readings in Light Metals. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-48176-0_4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-48176-0_4
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