Manufacture of Detergent Grade Zeolite-A from Sodium Aluminate Liquor of Alumina Refinery, Damanjodi: NALCO's Experience and Success Story

摘要

A Cost-effective Technology has been developed for Manufacture of Detergent Grade Zeolite-A from the Sodium Aluminate Liquor of NALCO's Alumina Refinery, Damanjodi. The Technology was developed jointly by NALCO and Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research Institute (CSMCRI), Bhavnagar, India through extensive Laboratory work as well as Pilot Plant trials. Based on the Technology so developed, NALCO have set up a commercial plant to produce Detergent Grade Zeolite-A The Plant has been positioned directly in the liquor loop of its 1.575 mln.tpy Alumina Refinery. The NALCO-CSMCRI technology is based on their internationally patented process. The uniqueness of the process is its adaptability to integrate into the operational loop of a Bayer Process based technology without disturbing the alumina production cycle. Use of in-process aluminate liquor as the main feed stock material results in excess 20% reduction in cash cost of production as compared to the conventional route of Sodium Hydroxide and Alumina to produce aluminate liquor. The Detergent Grade Zeolite-A Plant was commissioned in 2001 and is in steady commercial operations since then. Zeolite-A produced at NALCO matches well with that of the international standards and has been well accepted by detergent manufacturers for producing a wide range of domestic and industrial grade detergents. NALCO and CSMCRI are now in a position to offer technology and project consultancy globally for setting up of Zeolite-A Plants in Bayer Process based primary alumina producing industries.