A Process for Extracting Alumina from Kansas Clay

Abstract

A process for the extraction of alumina from clay, utilizing Kansas raw materials, is described. This process is essentially the old soda-sinter process with a new method, devised in the laboratories of the State Geological Survey of Kansas, for controlling the impurities in the solution from which the aluminum hydroxide is precipitated. This method consists of the fractional precipitation of impurities by carbon dioxide gas and their removal by filtering. It is believed that this method may make it possible for Kansas raw materials to compete commercially with other sources of alumina. For a better understanding of the subject, a review of the metallurgy of aluminum is given.