Study on Extraction and Separation Performance of Iron and Aluminum from Acid Leaching Solution of High-Iron Bauxite

In view of the shortcomings of traditional comprehensive utilization of high iron bauxite resources to produce alumina, such as high energy consumption and long process flow, this paper proposed a double-cycle process for alumina production. As a main component in high-iron bauxite, iron(Fe) has adverse effect on the recovery of aluminum. Removal of iron is essential for recovery of aluminum. Herein, this work reported an approach for efficient removal of iron from acid leaching liquor of high-iron bauxite. The extraction system of TBP and benzene was used to separate iron and aluminum ions from the acid leaching solution. The optimum extraction conditions were obtained as follows: the concentration of TBP was 30%, the extraction time was controlled for 3–4 min, the volume ratio of organic phase to aqueous phase (O/A ratio) was 1 : 1, and the concentration of hydrochloric acid was 1.5 mol/L at room temperature.