METHOD OF PREPARING GALLIUM Russian patent published in 1998 - IPC

FIELD: rare metal metallurgy, more particularly preparation of gallium from aluminate solutions of alumina raw material. SUBSTANCE: claimed method comprises two stages of carbonization of aluminate solution. At first stage, aluminate solution is carbonized to attain not more than 1 or 2 g/l of caustic soda, and aluminium hydroxide residue is separated from soda-alkali solution. At second stage, aluminate solution is carbonized to attain 20-50 g/l of bicarbonate alkali, deposit enriched in gallium is separated, and gallium is recovered from deposit. First stage is carried out in the presence of calcium containing compound at CaO/Ga ratio of 1-5 to 1. EFFECT: greater recovery of gallium. 7 cl, 2 ex, 1 tbl