Phase Diagram of the Al(NO3)3–Fe(NO3)3–H2O(−HNO3) System and Its Application in the Separation of Al3+ and Fe3+

An original technology named HNO3 pressure leaching has been proposed by our team to leach Al from coal gangue and fly ash. Although the preliminary separation of Al and Fe had been achieved during leaching, a small amount of Fe impurity was still unavoidably dissolved into the leach liquor. To obtain pure Al2O3 during subsequent pyrolysis, it is imperative to synchronously remove Fe3+ during the crystallization of Al(NO3)3·9H2O. Herein, the phase equilibria of the Al(NO3)3–Fe(NO3)3–H2O(−HNO3) system at 25–40 °C and 0–8.12 mol kg–1 of HNO3 molality were investigated. The results indicated that the ternary system was a simple cosaturated type consisting of an immutable point, two univariate curves, and two crystallization regions. Notably, the solubility and crystallization region of Al(NO3)3·9H2O were barely impacted by acidity, while the opposite was true for Fe(NO3)3·9H2O. This finding was instructive for the crystallization of Fe(NO3)3·9H2O from the liquor with high Fe and low Al. Moreover, a high crystallization yield could be obtained at low temperatures. Finally, an appropriate crystallization procedure was provided. This study is expected to provide basic data and theoretical support for the crystallization and separation of mixed nitrates containing Al and Fe.