An in situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction investigation of lepidocrocite and ferrihydrite-seeded Al(OH) 3 crystallisation from supersaturated sodium aluminate liquor

Abstract

Lepidocrocite and ferrihydrite-seeded Al(OH) 3 crystallisation from supersaturated sodium aluminate liquor at 70 °C was investigated using in situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction. The presence of iron oxides and oxyhydroxides in the Bayer process has implications for the nucleation and growth of scale on process equipment, and a greater understanding of the effect they have on Al(OH) 3 crystallisation may allow for development of methods for Al(OH) 3 scale prevention. The early stages of both crystallisation reactions were characterised by nucleation of gibbsite on the seed material. This was followed by a rapid increase in gibbsite concentration, which coincided with the appearance of the bayerite and nordstrandite polymorphs of Al(OH) 3. The lepidocrocite-seeded reaction then proceeded via a mechanism similar to that which has been observed previously for goethite, hematite and magnetite-seeded Al(OH) 3 crystallisation. Different behaviour was observed in the ferrihydrite-seeded experiment, with nucleation as well as growth occurring during the period of rapid increase in gibbsite concentration, followed by a period of diffusion controlled growth.