Thesis supervisor: Tatjána Juzsakova
co-supervisor: Ákos Rédey
Location of studies (in Hungarian): University of Pannonia, Institute of Environmental Engineering Abbreviation of location of studies: PE
Description of the research topic:
Red mud or bauxite residue is a by-product that derives from alumina-containing raw materials during the Bayer process for alumina production. It is the insoluble product after bauxite digestion with sodium hydroxide at elevated temperature and pressure. Red mud is a mixture of compounds originally present in the parent bauxite, and of compounds formed or introduced during the Bayer cycle. It is estimated that around 1.5 tons of red mud is generated for every 1 ton of alumina produced. Depending on the processing technology, red mud is disposed with different solid concentrations varying from 30% during lagooning to 65-70% on dry disposal. Bauxite residue is composed of a mixture of solid, metallic oxide impurities, and it presents one of the most important disposal problems of aluminum industry. The red colour is attributed to iron oxides, which can make up to 50 % of the mass of RM. In addition to iron, the other dominant components include silica, vanadia, titania and unleached alumina. It is to be emphasized that the red mud contains valuable rare earth metals including, lanthanum, cerium, scandium, etc. which are considered as a strategic metals.
Top priority is to be given to metal recovery with special focus on the recovery of the rare metal components. The main objective is to develop new technologies and methods for the recovery of the rare metals from the red mud which is presently considered as a waste material. The technological process including acidic digestion, separation by extraction are to be considered in research. The stepwise acidic dissolution of the red mud is to be studied to separate the valuable rare metal components. Selective ion-exchange process, elution and extraction with organic solvents are considered to be the main process steps.
Available infrastructure and laboratory facilities: The Institute of Environmental Engineering, University of Pannonia is well equipped with instruments required for the research : Atomic absorption spectrometer, ASAP 2000 morphological measuring device, FTIR (Brucker Vertex 70 type), Raman spectrometer, ICP, classical laboratory facilities.
Targeted objectives and expected outcomes in the period of four years: Elaboration of a proposal for the recovery of valuable metals from the red mud with special focus on the rare metals based on the laboratory experiments. Publication of 4-5 papers with impact factor. Participation on international conferences, 2 conferences per year. Preparation of half- yearly progress reports.
Number of students who can be accepted: 1
Deadline for application: 2018-06-30
2024. IV. 17. ODT ülés Az ODT következő ülésére 2024. június 14-én, pénteken 10.00 órakor kerül sor a Semmelweis Egyetem Szenátusi termében (Bp. Üllői út 26. I. emelet).
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