A PROCESS FOR TREATING BAUXITE TAILINGS TO NEUTRALIZE SODIUM HYDROXIDE AND A PRODUCT OBTAINED BY THE PROCESS

摘要

The present invention relates to a process for treating bauxite tailings to neutralize a predominant proportion of sodium hydroxide present therein, comprising: pulverizing said bauxite tailings into a homogenous powder; agitating said powder while adding sufficient water to foam a free flowing slurry; adding sufficient sulfuric acid to the slurry to neutralize said sodium hydroxide to a pH of 5.5 to 6 to form water and an aqueous solution of sodium sulfate; and separating said aqueous sodium sulfate solution from remaining insoluble slurry without washing said slurry, while permitting a residual amount of sodium sulfate to remain with said insoluble slurry sufficient to catalyse carbonate crystalization and further treating said insoluble slurry to form a component of cementitious building material. The present invention also relates to a product obtained by the process.