Behavior of sodium oxalate in seeded precipitation process of sodium aluminate solution

Sodium oxalate has negative effects on alumina produced by the Bayer process. The behavior of sodium oxalate in the seeded precipitation process of a sodium aluminate solution was investigated. The particle size and morphology of crystallization, as well as the crystal habit of sodium oxalate, and the interaction between sodium oxalate and gibbsite in synthetic or industrial sodium aluminate solutions were also investigated. The results show that sodium oxalate precipitates on the surface or gibbsite clearance, such that the secondary nucleation of gibbsite increases, and the agglomeration of gibbsite is seriously hindered. This is considered as the main cause of gibbsite refinement.