Aluminum Recovery by Acid Leaching of Variously Enriched Pyrophyllite Ore: Effects of Pre-treatment Methods for Activation

Effects of pre-treatment methods such as calcination for thermal activation and intensive milling for mechanical activation on the aluminum (Al) recovery by acid leaching of preliminarily enriched pyrophyllite ore via attrition scrubbing and froth flotation were investigated. XRD patterns of the calcined and the intensively milled samples were compared to determine the changes during the pre-treatment processes. Hot HCl solution was used for dissolution of aluminum to determine the Al recoveries from variously enriched and variously pre-treated pyrophyllite ore samples. Specific thermal and milling energies consumed per unit amount of ore were calculated, and the ideal activation method was suggested by comparing the activation methods in terms of energy consumption. Mechanical activation of the pyrophyllite concentrate obtained by attrition scrubbing rather than froth flotation was suggested for higher recoveries of aluminum from by acidic leaching. It was determined that operating cost (in terms of energy) of the mechanical activation is lower and aluminum recovery is higher than thermal activation. It was concluded that mechanical activation instead of thermal activation is more economical and environmentally friendly method.