The Leaching Process of Alumina from Red Mud for Synthesis of Mesoporous Alumina

Alumina was leached from red mud by hidrometalurgy method. Alumina from red mud was leached by desilication process, separation of iron oxide process, and formation of alumina salt process. Residu of each step was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray flourence (XRF), scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive x-ray analysis (EDX). From X-ray diffraction result. The composition of red mud from Bintan was determined by characterization process with X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray flourence (XRF) that show red mud from Bintan contains hematite (Fe₂O₃), gibbsite (Al(OH)₃), boehmite (γ-AlO(OH)), anatase (TiO₂) dan quartz (SiO₂). After desilication process, SiO₂ on residue of red mud were collected 38.85 wt.%. From separation of iron oxide process, the residue of leaching process was Fe₂O₃ 81.80 wt.%. The product from formation of alumina salt process was characterized by scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive x-ray analysis (EDX) that showed the leaching process of alumina from red mud had element oxygen and aluminium in its salt amounted to 64.94 wt.% and 26.40 wt.%. The product could be the source of alumina to synthesis of mesoporous alumina.