METHOD FOR RECOVERY OF GALLIUM FROM POTASH MOTHER LIQUOR Russian patent published in 1998 - IPC

FIELD: metallurgy, in particular, methods for recovery of gallium from alumocarbonate sediment produced in carbonization of potash mother liquor in processing of nepheline raw materials. SUBSTANCE: method includes dilution and carbonization of liquor to obtain pulp consisting of gallium-containing sediment and bicarbonate solution; neutralization of pulp with mother liquor, its filtering, washing of filtered sediment; dissolving of washed sediment with caustic liquor. To reduce consumption of caustic liquor, filtered sediment is washed by the displacement method to the content of sodium bicarbonate in final washing liquor of 0.1-3 g/l with use of washing liquor in the form of alkali liquor. Washing liquor is used in the form of caustic liquor with concentration of Na₂O in the amount of 150-200 g/l or alkali-aluminate liquor of alumina production with concentration of Na₂O = 1-15 g/l. In the latter case, washing is carried out for 1-40 min with subsequent blowing of sediment with compressed air to humidity of 40-65% with return of washing liquor, either for dissolving of potash mother liquor, or for preparation of sintering mixture in alumina production. Washing liquor is used multiply for its maximum saturation with Na₂CO₃. Filtering and washing are carried out at pressure exceeding atmospheric pressure. EFFECT: higher efficiency. 5 cl, 1 tbl