In order to clean production of chromium compounds, it is a critical process to remove aluminates and utilize aluminum compounds from artificial chromate alkali solutions. The effects of Na2 Cr O4 on the neutralization curve, Al（OH）3 precipitation efficiency and induction period of bayerite were investigated. The results indicate that the neutralization curve of the artificial chromate alkali solutions shows three distinct regions and its induction period is longer than that of pure sodium aluminate solutions at the same aluminum concentration. And the decreased temperature and volume fraction of CO2 enhance the particle size of bayerite β-Al（OH）3. Bayerite composed of agglomerates of rods and cone frustums was obtained from alkali metal chromate solutions with 28.5% CO2（volume fraction） at temperatures ranging from 50 °C to 70 °C. Coarse bayerite with particle size（d50） from 24.2 μm to 29.3 μm extremely has few impurities, which is suitable for comprehensive utilization.
For the clean and economical production of chromium compounds, it is crucial to remove aluminates from chromate alkali solutions and utilize aluminum-containing compounds. In this work, carbonization was used to remove aluminates from a synthetic chromate leaching solution containing a high K2O/Al2O3 mole ratio. The influence of reaction temperature, carbonization time, flow rate of carbon dioxide, and seed ratio on the precipitation of Al was investigated. The optimal output was obtained under the following experimental conditions： a reaction temperature of 50 °C, a carbonization time of 100 min, a carbon dioxide flow rate of 0.1 L/min, and a seed ratio of 1.0. Gibbsite was obtained following carbonization. The structure and morphology of the gibbsite were characterized by X-ray diffraction （XRD）, scanning electron microscopy （SEM）, and laser particle size analyzer. The particle size distribution and morphology of the gibbsite were significantly influenced by the experimental conditions. The gibbsite had a mean particle size （d50） of 16.72μm. The thermal decomposition of the gibbsite was analyzed by XRD and the decomposition path was determined. The obtained coarseα-Al2O3 precipitate, which contains 0.08% Cr2O3 and 0.10% K2O, was suitable for subsequent utilization.
A novel process was proposed for the activation pretreatment of limonitic laterite ores by Na2CO3 roasting. Dechromization and dealumination kinetics of the laterite ores and the effect of particle size, Na2CO3-ore mass ratio, and roasting temperature on Cr and Al extraction were studied. Experimental results indicate that the extraction rates of Cr and Al are up to 99%and 82%, respectively, under the optimal particle size of 44–74μm, Na2CO3-to-ore mass ratio of 0.6：1, and temperature of 1000 ℃. Dechromization within the range of 600–800 oC is controlled by the diffusion through the product layer with an apparent activation energy of 3.9 kJ/mol, and that it is controlled by the chemical reaction at the surface within the range of 900–1100 ℃ with an apparent activation energy of 54.3 kJ/mol. Besides, the Avrami diffusion controlled model with on apparent activation energy of 16.4 kJ/mol is most applicable for dealumination. Furthermore, 96.8%Ni and 95.6%Co could be extracted from the alkali-roasting residues in the subsequent pressure acid leaching process.
A chemical precipitation-thermal decomposition method was developed to synthesize Co3O4 nanoparticles using cobalt liquor obtained from the atmospheric pressure acid leaching process of nickel laterite ores. The effects of the precursor reaction temperature, the concentration of Co2＋, and the calcination temperature on the specific surface area, morphology, and the electrochemical behavior of the ob- tained Co304 particles were investigated. The precursor basic cobaltous carbonate and cobaltosic oxide products were characterized and ana- lyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric differential thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, specific surface area analysis, and electrochemical analysis. The results indicate that the specific surface area of the Co3O4particles with a diameter of 30 rim, which were obtained under the optimum conditions of a precursor reaction temperature of 30℃, 0.25 mol/L Co2＋, and a calcination temperature of 350℃, was 48.89 m2/g. Electrodes fabricated using Co3O4 nanoparticles exhibited good electrochemical properties, with a specific capacitance of 216.3 F/g at a scan rate of 100 mV/s.
Long MengZhan-cheng GuoJing-kui QuTao QiQiang GuoGui-hua HouPeng-yu DongXin-guo Xi
