About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2026 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
Alumina & Bauxite
|
| Presentation Title |
Optimization of a Low Temperature Jamaican Bayer process operation for Gallium Extraction |
| Author(s) |
Tandose M. Sambo |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Tandose M. Sambo |
| Abstract Scope |
Gallium is a critical technology metal utilised in the manufacture of a variety of modern innovations including solar photovoltaics and electronic infrastructure. Jamaican bauxite is classified as medium gallium level, with 48-75 microgram/gram of gallium found in the ore.The current local alumina supply chain contains active Bayer refineries, making gallium extraction possible under the right operating conditions.
A baseline gallium dispersion profile of a low temperature alumina refinery was determined. The existing evaporation performance produces gallium in Bayer process liquor of 95.50 ppm, verified via ICP-OES. This performance is just 35.50 ppm shy of feed conditions for commercial gallium extraction units.
This paper outlines the correlation between steam consumption and quality, heater care maintenance according to current design, and process chemistry to the gallium output of the refinery. A simulation of the expected future gallium extraction potential, and process economics will be proposed. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: Light Metals |
| Keywords |
Process Technology, Energy Conversion and Storage, Aluminum |