An in-depth exploration of the performance and influence of rapid dewatering filter aid for red mud slurry

Abstract

Red mud is a kind of industrial waste residue produced in the process of alumina production, which has strong suspension and is difficult to precipitate and filter. This study compared the effects of 4 kinds of filter aids, including CaCl₂, polymerized ferrous sulfate (PFS), steel slag (SS), and Portland cement (PC), on the filtration rate, filter cake moisture content, and Na₂O content of red mud slurry. At a dosage of 10 g·L⁻¹, the filtration effects were in the following order: PFS > CaCl₂ > SS > PC. Under the combination of 5 g·L⁻¹ SS and 5 g·L⁻¹ PC, the better filtration effect was achieved with a filtration time of 205.17 s, which was reduced by 58.52% compared to the original red mud. The combined use of SS and PC exhibits better advantages in terms of cost and filtration effect. This study provides a data foundation for the rapid filtration of red mud slurry. The use of SS and PC as filter aids for red mud holds broad application prospects.

Keywords

red mud / filter aid / liquid–solid separation / interface regulation

References

[1] Mukiza E, Zhang LL, Liu XM. Durability and micro-structure analysis of the road base material prepared from red mud and flue gas desulfurization fly ash. Int. J. Miner. Metall. Mater.. 2020, 27(4): 555

[2] B.C. Trampus and S.C.A. França, Performances of two flocculants and their mixtures for red mud dewatering and disposal based on mineral paste production, J. Cleaner Prod., 257(2020), art. No. 120534.

[3] Cai TY, Yang M, Pan RX. Study on the effect of sodium removal from citric acid pretreated red mud on the physical properties of red mud. Environ. Sci. Pollut. Res.. 2024, 31(31): 44191

[4] Xu YT, Yang B, Liu XM, et al. . Investigation of the medium calcium based non-burnt brick made by red mud and fly ash: Durability and hydration characteristics. Int. J. Miner. Metall. Mater.. 2019, 26(8): 983

[5] Zhou GT, Wang YL, Qi TG, et al. . Comparison of the effects of Ti- and Si-containing minerals on goethite transformation in the Bayer digestion of goethitic bauxite. Int. J. Miner. Metall. Mater.. 2023, 30(9): 1705

[6] Power G, Gräfe M, Klauber C. Bauxite residue issues: I. Current management, disposal and storage practices. Hydrome-tallurgy. 2011, 108(1–2): 33

[7] Huang YF, Han GH, Liu JT, Wang WJ. A facile disposal of Bayer red mud based on selective flocculation desliming with organic humics. J. Hazard. Mater.. 2016, 301: 46

[8] Johnston M, Clark MW, McMahon P, Ward N. Alkalinity conversion of bauxite refinery residues by neutralization. J. Hazard. Mater.. 2010, 182(1–3): 710

[9] Rai SB, Wasewar KL, Mishra RS, et al. . Sequestration of carbon dioxide in red mud. Desalin. Water Treat.. 2013, 51(10–12): 2185

[10] Agrawal S, Rayapudi V, Dhawan N. Microwave reduction of red mud for recovery of iron values. J. Sustain. Metall.. 2018, 4(4): 427

[11] Zong YB, Chen WH, Fan Y, Yang TL, Liu ZB, Cang DQ. Complementation in the composition of steel slag and red mud for preparation of novel ceramics. Int. J. Miner. Metall. Mater.. 2018, 25(9): 1010

[12] Jones F, Farrow JB, van Bronswijk W. Flocculation of haematite in synthetic bayer liquors. Colloids Surf. A. 1998, 135(1–3): 183

[13] J.Z. Zhang, Z.Y. Yao, K. Wang, et al., Sustainable utilization of bauxite residue (Red Mud) as a road material in pavements: A critical review, Constr. Build. Mater., 270(2021), art. No. 121419.

[14] Kumar A, Kumar S. Development of paving blocks from synergistic use of red mud and fly ash using geopolymerization. Constr. Build. Mater.. 2013, 38: 865

[15] H. Zeng, H.H. Tang, W. Sun, and L. Wang, Deep dewatering of bauxite residue via the synergy of surfactant, coagulant, and flocculant: Effect of surfactants on dewatering and settling properties, Sep. Purif. Technol., 302(2022), art. No. 122110.

[16] Chvedov D, Ostap S, Le T. Surface properties of red mud particles from potentiometric titration. Colloids Surf. A. 2001, 182(1–3): 131

[17] Zhang KY, Hu HP, Zhang LJ, Chen QY. Surface charge properties of red mud particles generated from Chinese diaspore bauxite. Trans. Nonferrous Met. Soc. China. 2008, 18(5): 1285

[18] Liang GJ, Nguyen AV, Chen WM, Nguyen TAH, Biggs S. Interaction forces between goethite and polymeric flocculants and their effect on the flocculation of fine goethite particles. Chem. Eng. J.. 2018, 334: 1034

[19] A.S. Yang, Y.F. Liao, M.Y. An, et al., Effect of surfactant and flocculant on low-rank coal slime filtration: From filter cake characteristics point of view, Fuel, 327(2022), art. No. 125136.

[20] Hu XM. Chemical Filter Aids. 1999, Beijing, Metallurgical Industry Press: 46

[21] You XF, He M, Zhu XC, et al. . Influence of surfactant for improving dewatering of brown coal: A comparative experimental and MD simulation study. Sep. Purif. Technol.. 2019, 210: 473

[22] R.X. Chen, X.S. Dong, Y.P. Fan, X.M. Ma, Y.D. Dong, and M. Chang, Interaction between STAC and coal/kaolinite in tailing dewatering: An experimental and molecular-simulation study, Fuel, 279(2020), art. No. 118224.

[23] Yin WZ, Xie Y, Zhu ZL. Literature overview of basic characteristics and flotation laws of flocs. Int. J. Miner. Metall. Mater.. 2024, 31(5): 943

[24] M. Essakhraoui, A. Nyassi, A. Boukhair, et al., Enhancing molten sulfur filtration during sulfuric acid manufacturing for phosphate fertilizer production in Morocco with cellulose-based filter aids, Appl. Sci., 13(2023), No. 15, art. No. 8879.

[25] Tan XF, Lu J. Study on the application of inorganic salt filter aid in slime filtration. China Coal. 2023, 49(2): 109

[26] T.Y. Wang, J. Chen, H.H. Shang, L.X. Bao, G.Q. Yu, and J. Tian, Hydrophobic regulation enhances the filtration and dehydration for coal preparation products, an experimental exploration, Physicochem. Probl. Miner. Process., 60(2024), No. 6, art. No. 194659.

[27] X.H. Yan, L.B. Wei, and H.X. Xu, Synergistic enhancement of dewatering of montmorillonite-containing coal slime by novel combined filter aid: An experimental and simulation study, Int. J. Coal Prep. Util., (2024), p. 1.

[28] J.L. Zhang, Y.F. Guo, F.Q. Zheng, S. Wang, F. Chen, and L.Z. Yang, High efficiency filtration and optimization of pelletizing performance of fine hematite concentrate using sulfuric acid filter aid: Behavior and mechanism, Powder Technol., 448(2024), art. No. 120260.

[29] V.I. Salamatov, O.V. Salamatov, and D. Yu Zabolotnyaya, K-4 impact on dehydration process of red mud settling, [in] Proceedings of the IOP Conference Series:Earth and Environmental Science, 988(2022), art. No. 022030.

[30] S.V. Patil and B.N. Thorat, Mechanical dewatering of red mud, Sep. Purif. Technol., 294(2022), art. No. 121157.

[31] D.F. Wang, F.L. Min, H.J. Lyu, J. Chen, B.T. Wang, and J.F. Zhang, Recycling waste sand from slurry shield tunneling: A sustainable filter aid for waste slurry dehydration, J. Cleaner Prod., 383(2023), art. No. 135387.

[32] H. Zeng, H.H. Tang, W. Sun, and L. Wang, Strengthening solid–liquid separation of bauxite residue through the synergy of charge neutralization and flocculation, Sep. Purif. Technol., 285(2022), art. No. 120296.

[33] Long J, Li H, Xu Z, Masliyah JH. Role of colloidal interactions in oil sand tailings treatment. AlChE J.. 2006, 52(1): 371

[34] Walsch J, Dultz S. Effects of pH, Ca- and SO₄-concentration on surface charge and colloidal stability of goethite and hematite–consequences for the adsorption of anionic organic substances. Clay Miner.. 2010, 45(1): 1

[35] Cheng WP. Hydrolysis characteristic of polyferric sulfate coagulant and its optimal condition of preparation. Colloids Surf. A. 2001, 182(1–3): 57

[36] Li Z, Li CH, Meng YQ, et al. . Application of coagulation and full-membrane process in municipal reclaimed water in northern China: An optimized process. Desalin. Water Treat.. 2021, 217: 159

[37] C.H. Shi, X.C. Wang, S. Zhou, X.M. Zuo, and C. Wang, Mechanism, application, influencing factors and environmental benefit assessment of steel slag in removing pollutants from water: A review, J. Water Process. Eng., 47(2022), art. No. 102666.

[38] Stutzman PE. Microscopy of clinker and hydraulic cements. Rev. Mineral. Geochem.. 2012, 74(1): 101

[39] Z.X. Xu, Z.M. Li, S.T. Cui, et al., Assessing the performance of foams stabilized by anionic/nonionic surfactant mixture under high temperature and pressure conditions, Colloids Surf. A, 651(2022), art. No. 129699.

[40] Hulston J, de Kretser RG, Scales PJ. Effect of temperature on the dewaterability of hematite suspensions. Int. J. Miner. Process.. 2004, 73(2–4): 269

[41] E. Fedorova, E. Pupysheva, and V. Morgunov, Modelling of red-mud particle-solid distribution in the feeder cup of a thickener using the combined CFD-DPM approach, Symmetry, 14(2022), No. 11, art. No. 2314.

[42] Salimi R, Vaughan J. Crystallisation of tricalcium aluminate from sodium aluminate solution using slaked lime. Powder Technol.. 2016, 294: 472

[43] Zheng FQ, Guo YF, Fan JJ, et al. . R31 filter aid enhances filtration of fine hematite concentrate particles. Powder Technol.. 2021, 378: 255

[44] T.W. Zheng, X. Zhang, and H.H. Yi, Spherical vaterite microspheres of calcium carbonate synthesized with poly (acrylic acid) and sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate, J. Cryst. Growth, 528(2019), art. No. 125275.

[45] M.S. Li, H. Liu, P. Duan, S.Q. Ruan, Z.H. Zhang, and W. Ge, The effects of lithium slag on microstructure and mechanical performance of metakaolin-based geopolymers designed by response surface method (RSM), Constr. Build. Mater., 299(2021), art. No. 123950.

[46] B. Bai, F. Bai, Q.K. Nie, and X.X. Jia, A high-strength red mud–fly ash geopolymer and the implications of curing temperature, Powder Technol., 416(2023), art. No. 118242.

[47] Çöpoğlu N, Gökdemir H, Cengiz T, Çiçek B. Barium borosilicate glass coatings based on biomass for steel surfaces: Use of rice husk ash. Ceram. Int.. 2022, 48(6): 8671

[48] Yu P, James Kirkpatrick R, Poe B, McMillan PF, Cong XD. Structure of calcium silicate hydrate (C–S–H): Near-, mid-, and far-infrared spectroscopy. J. Am. Ceram. Soc.. 1999, 82(3): 742

[49] Chen SJ, Du ZW, Zhang Z, Yin DW, Feng F, Ma JB. Effects of red mud additions on gangue-cemented paste backfill properties. Powder Technol.. 2020, 367: 833

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

University of Science and Technology Beijing