Influence of silica on the crystallization of sodium hydroaluminate

R.A. Abdulvaliyev; S.V. Gladyshev; N.K. Akhmadiyeva; G.S. Ruzakhunova; S.Sh. Tugambay

doi:10.31643/2025/6445.19

Authors

R.A. Abdulvaliyev Institute of Metallurgy and Ore Beneficiation; Satbayev University
S.V. Gladyshev Institute of Metallurgy and Ore Beneficiation; Satbayev University
N.K. Akhmadiyeva Institute of Metallurgy and Ore Beneficiation; Satbayev University https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3154-9816
G.S. Ruzakhunova Institute of Metallurgy and Ore Beneficiation; Satbayev University
S.Sh. Tugambay Institute of Metallurgy and Ore Beneficiation; Satbayev University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31643/2025/6445.19

Keywords:

alumina solution, silica, hydroaluminate

Abstract

To extract aluminium from highly concentrated aluminate solutions of alumina-containing raw materials, decomposition is performed through the crystallization of sodium hydroaluminate. This paper presents the results of a study on the stability of aluminate solutions. To calculate the probable yield of Al₂O₃ in the solid phase, it is necessary to determine the crystallization rate of sodium hydroaluminate according to the composition of the initial solutions and the conditions of the process. The influences of SiO₂ content on the decomposition of aluminate solutions with Na₂O_k concentrations of 540 g/dm³ and 590 g/dm³ with and without inoculum were studied. In addition, the influence of silica on the appearance of precipitating crystals of sodium hydroaluminate was considered. A sharp increase in the stability of the aluminate solutions at rest in the presence of silica was observed. Different crystallization conditions for sodium hydroaluminate have been investigated. Silica slows the crystallization process of sodium hydroaluminate, affecting both the nucleation and crystal growth rates. The effect of SiO₂ on the rate of decomposition is similar to the reduction in the degree of supersaturation.

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Author Biographies

R.A. Abdulvaliyev, Institute of Metallurgy and Ore Beneficiation; Satbayev University

Candidate of Technical Science, Head of the laboratory of alumina and aluminium, Institute of Metallurgy and Ore Beneficiation, Satbayev University, Shevchenko str., 29/133, 050010, Almaty, Kazakhstan.

S.V. Gladyshev, Institute of Metallurgy and Ore Beneficiation; Satbayev University

Candidate of Technical Science, Leading researcherof the laboratory of alumina and aluminium, Institute of Metallurgy and Ore Beneficiation, Satbayev University, Shevchenko str., 29/133, 050010, Almaty, Kazakhstan.

N.K. Akhmadiyeva, Institute of Metallurgy and Ore Beneficiation; Satbayev University

PhD, Researcher of the laboratory of alumina and aluminium, Institute of Metallurgy and Ore Beneficiation, Satbayev University, Shevchenko str., 29/133, 050010, Almaty, Kazakhstan.

G.S. Ruzakhunova, Institute of Metallurgy and Ore Beneficiation; Satbayev University

Candidate of Technical Science, Learding researcher of laboratory of physical methods of Institute of Metallurgy and Ore Beneficiation, Satbayev University, Shevchenko str., 29/133, 050010, Almaty, Kazakhstan.

S.Sh. Tugambay, Institute of Metallurgy and Ore Beneficiation; Satbayev University

PhD doctoral student, Leading engineer of physical methods, Institute of Metallurgy and Ore Beneficiation, Satbayev University, Shevchenko str., 29/133, 050010, Almaty, Kazakhstan.

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