Bayer+Process

= = = = = The Bayer Process = = = =**Background**=

In 1888, Austrian chemist Karl Joseph Bayer was working on a method of producing alumina (Al2O3), in order to increase supply for the the textile industry before. Prior to his efforts, alumina was scarce naturally and inefficiently produced artificially, yet was key to dying cotton. Today, the Bayer process is still used for alumina production, actually being the only process still used by industry. = =

=**Process**=

The Bayer process begins with the mining of bauxite, which contains aluminum minerals gibbsite (Al(OH)3) and böhmite (AlO(OH).) This bauxite is crushed and bathed in a solution of sodium hydroxide, where the minerals are synthesized into Al(OH)4- in the following reactions:

Al(OH)3+NaOH -> Al(OH)4-+Na+ media type="custom" key="5739129" (Chemical and Metalurgical Engineering, V. 19, p.807)

AlO(OH)+NaOH+H2O -> Al(OH)4-+Na+

From here, products are put under intensive heat and pressure, evaporating away the NaOH and leaving a consistent Al(OH)3. Under said heat and pressure, this too decomposes: 2Al(OH)3 -> A2O3+3H2O

As seen, the products of this reaction are alumina crystals, which are cleaned, and water, which is evaporated away. Thus, we reach an end result of alumina.

However, the mined bauxite contains minerals other than those of aluminum. These other compounds do not react in the sodium hydroxide, and are collectively known as "red mud," the only waste produced during the Bayer process. Other processes, such as the Deville-Pechiney process, were once used, but as these require far more fuel, the Bayer process is the only one today with any industrial application.

=**Usefulness**=

Given the broad range of applications that alumina has, the Bayer process can be considered a highly useful one. Alumina is a very strong compound, resistant to both physical and chemical damages. Among some of its many uses include its parts in the productions of electrical insulators and other electrical encasings, nozzles, pump systems, and as liners of various materials. In addition, Al2O3 is the compound, which under pressure, forms ruby and sapphire, implying that it is theoretically possible for it to be used to produce such precious stones. However, a major problem comes from the red mud referred to above, as it currently has no use. However, some companies and chemical plants are working to resolve this issue. For example, Virtotec is attempting to neutralize the red mud, making it sellable and thus increasing the net profitability of the Bayer process.

Works Cited

"Abrasive Grains 101 | Glossary." // UAMA | Unified Abrasives Manufacturers' Association //. Web. 26 Mar. 2010. .  " [|Bayer process.] " __ The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition __. 2008. // Encyclopedia.com. // 19 Mar. 2010 < [|http://www.encyclopedia.com] > "Bayer Process Chemistry." // University of Minnesota Duluth Welcomes You //. Web. 27 Mar. 2010. . "Dealing with Red Mud - By - Product of the Bayer Process for Refining Aluminium." // AZoM" - The A to Z of Materials and AZojomo - The "AZo Journal of Materials Online" // Web. 27 Mar. 2010. . // Fig. 7. Calcining Furnace // . 1918. Photograph. // Google Books // . Web. 26 Mar. 2010. . "HowStuffWorks "Mining and Refining Aluminum"" // Howstuffworks "Science" // Web. 27 Mar. 2010. . "Methods of Refining Raw Materials- Alumina from Bauxite." // Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering // 19.12 (1918): 807-07. // Google Books // . Web. 26 Mar. 2010. .  Newton, David E. "Metal Production." // The Gale Encyclopedia of Science //. Ed. K. Lee Lerner and Brenda Wilmoth Lerner. 3rd ed. Vol. 4. Detroit: Gale, 2004. 2519-2521. // Gale Virtual Reference Library //. Web. 18 Mar. 2010. Rep. Materials Science and Technology Division. Web. 26 Mar. 2010. .

= = =Technology= The Steps of the Bayer Process media type="custom" key="5723957"

The Developer: Father of All Robots media type="custom" key="5741151"