Chapter 20 - Thermal Behavior of Red Mud and Its Beneficial Use in Glass-Ceramic Production

Abstract

Red mud is a by-product of alumina extraction from bauxite ore using the Bayer process. Worldwide concerns about the environmental impact of this by-product have intensified owing to its increased production. Red mud is usually stored because there are no large-scale applications for its reuse. With the aim of converting this huge volume of solid waste into useful material, many researchers have investigated ways to reuse and recycle red mud. Potential uses of red mud in the ceramic and cement industries, in environmental catalysis, and in valuable metal recovery have been investigated in many studies. In this study, the chemical composition and phase components of red mud samples from different regions are introduced. We then review the thermal behavior, phase transformations, and processes of red mud samples from different areas. As a case study of the thermal process, the potential for using red mud to immobilize hazardous metals contained in solid wastes is presented. Potential strategies for using red mud as a raw material in glass-ceramic are also summarized.