Describe Bayer's process for concentration of bauxite.
(1) Bayer's process is used to obtain pure aluminium oxide from bauxite. (2) Bauxite is then concentrated by chemical separation. Bauxite contains impurities like iron oxide (Fe(2)O(3)) and silica (SiO(2)). (3) Bauxite ore is powdered and heated with sodium hydroxide under high pressure for 2 to 8 hours at 140^()C in the digester. The aluminium oxide being amphoteric in nature present in ...