Cradle to Gate
Identity ID
affc2ae3b77c4b8592b0f779a4f46304
Materials
Associated ID
2b563c0c-9f60-46fc-a8c7-752ee20cde4f
Included activities starts
Included activities ends
Description
Alumina is used in the production of refractory materials, electronic substrate materials, and electrolytic production of metallic aluminum; the dataset includes primary raw materials, energy inputs, atmospheric emissions, and waste generated during the production process, while infrastructure such as production equipment and facility construction is not included within the system boundary; the life cycle inventory data are derived from literature and optimized based on the best available information for 2022. The Bayer process for alumina production consists of the following steps: raw material preparation and slurry mixing, pre-desilication, digestion, red mud separation, seed decomposition, and calcination of aluminum hydroxide.
Activity Description
The production process of alumina via the Bayer process includes steps such as raw material proportioning and slurry preparation, pre-desilication, digestion, red mud separation, seeding decomposition, and aluminum hydroxide calcination.
Process Description
Aluminum oxide is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula Al2O3 and CAS number 1344-28-1. It has a melting point of 2054°C and a boiling point of 2980°C, and it is an ionic crystal that can ionize at high temperatures. Aluminium oxide can be used in the production of refractory materials, electronic substrate materials, and in the electrolytic production of metallic aluminum.
Time period
2011
2026
Geography
China
Macroeconomic value
Business-as-Usual
Data validation
Yes
Technology
Current Technology
Technology comment
The Bayer process uses high-grade bauxite ore, which is mixed with alkaline solution, lime milk, and mother liquor in proportion and ground into slurry. Sodium aluminate is then directly leached under corresponding temperature and pressure conditions after pre-desilication, followed by red mud separation, seeding decomposition, and calcination of aluminum hydroxide to produce finished alumina. For high-grade ores with an aluminum-to-silicon ratio greater than 7, the Bayer process is the preferred production method.