Sulfur Removal of High-Sulfur Bauxite

The sulfur in high-sulfur bauxite not only pollutes the environment but also harms alumina production. This study investigated the removal of sulfur from high-sulfur bauxite by adding Zn or ZnO during the Bayer process. The results showed that the different valence sulfur (S2−, S2O32−, SO32−, and SO42−) in sodium aluminate solution can be effectively removed by adding Zn during the digestion process. Adding ZnO removes the S2− in liquor, but the other sulfur compounds (S2O32−, SO32−, and SO42−) are not affected. The mechanism of sulfur removal has been elucidated, where the S2O32−, SO32−, and SO42− are first reduced to S2−, and after adding Zn, the S2− enters into red mud in the form of ZnS. The ZnO then reacts with S2− to generate the ZnS that enters into red mud. Thus, this is a new and effective method of sulfur removal by adding Zn during the digestion process. The results shed light on the removal of sulfur from high-sulfur bauxite during alumina production.