Boronic Acid Functional Compounds for Bauxite Ore Purification
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Solution Overview
Problem
The production of minerals from low-grade ores is hindered by high levels of organic impurities, which 'poison' the mineral purification process, reducing yield and purity of aluminum oxide in the Bayer process, necessitating effective methods to control organic carbon concentration and impurities.
Innovation Solution
The use of boronic acid functional compounds is introduced to treat mineral ores, specifically bauxite ores, to form treated ores or Bayer products, enhancing the yield and purity of alumina trihydrate by reacting with organic compounds and adjusting pH conditions during the Bayer process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional Bayer process is used to process low-grade bauxite ores, then production capacity is maintained, but organic impurities poison the process and reduce alumina yield and purity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by adding boronic acid-functional compounds to the bauxite ore before the main Bayer process treatment. This pre-treatment step allows the boronic acid compounds to bind with organic impurities (such as humates and other carbon-based compounds) in advance, preventing them from poisoning the subsequent alumina extraction process. The boronic acid-functional groups react with hydroxyl groups on organic molecules, forming stable complexes that do not interfere with the Bayer process, thereby preserving alumina yield and purity.
Solution Approach 2:
The boronic acid-functional compound serves as an intermediary substance that mediates between the organic impurities and the Bayer process chemicals. The boronic acid groups act as selective binding agents that capture organic impurities through coordinate covalent bonding with their hydroxyl groups, effectively removing them from the system without requiring harsh oxidation or complex separation steps. This intermediary approach protects the main process from impurity interference while maintaining process simplicity.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If oxidation methods are used to reduce organic carbon concentration in Bayer liquor, then organic impurities are removed, but additional processing steps and costs are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the extraction principle by using boronic acid-functional compounds to selectively extract and remove organic impurities from the bauxite ore matrix before the Bayer process. The boronic acid groups specifically bind to hydroxyl-containing organic compounds (such as humates, lignin derivatives, and other natural organic matter) through coordinate bonding, effectively extracting these impurities from the ore. This extraction approach eliminates the need for subsequent oxidation steps or complex purification treatments, simplifying the overall process while effectively reducing organic carbon concentration.
3Productivity
If lower grade ores are processed to maximize product yield, then more ore is utilized, but impurity levels increase and cause process poisoning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by introducing boronic acid-functional compounds that provide localized chemical functionality throughout the ore matrix. These compounds create local binding sites that specifically target and capture organic impurities at the molecular level. The boronic acid groups distribute throughout the ore and selectively interact with hydroxyl-containing organic molecules in their local vicinity, creating zones of purified material that can be processed efficiently in the Bayer process. This localized treatment approach allows effective impurity removal without requiring intensive bulk processing.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach increases the yield of alumina trihydrate by 0.5% to 30% and improves its purity by minimizing the adverse effects of organic impurities, leading to more efficient mineral processing with no deleterious side reactions.
Implementation Method 1
boronic acid functional groups react with hydroxyl groups on organic molecules, forming stable complexes
Implementation Method 2
boronic acid-functional compound to a mineral ore containing a native source of organic compounds
Implementation Method 3
adjusting pH conditions during the Bayer process
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein is a method of adding one or more boronic acid functional compounds to a mineral ore to result in a treated mineral ore. Where the mineral ore is a bauxite ore, and the ore is subsequently processed according to the Bayer process to obtain alumina, adding a boronic acid functional compound to the bauxite ore or a Bayer product followed by processing the treated bauxite ore or treated Bayer product using one or more processes associated with the Bayer process results in an increased yield of alumina product, increased alumina content (purity) in the alumina product obtained, or both when compared to the same bauxite ore or Bayer product subjected to the same process(es) but in the absence of a boronic acid functional compound.