Aluminum Chemical Process

The first step in Aluminum Production is to mix crushed bauxite in a solution of hot caustic soda in digesters. This allows the alumina hydrate to be dissolved from the ore. After the red mud residue is removed by decantation and filtration, the caustic solution is piped into huge tanks, called precipitators, where the alumina hydrate crystallizes. The hydrate is then filtered and sent to calciners to dry and, under very high temperature, is transformed into the fine, white powder known as alumina. The alumina is transferred to the Electrolytic Process for aluminum reduction.