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Image of female researcher loading the multiple sample changer into one of the Panalytical powder x-ray diffractometers.
Researcher preparing x-ray diffraction machine.

Using x-ray diffraction to solve minerals processing problems

CSIRO Minerals is using in-situ and on-line x-ray diffraction analysis to examine various aspects of minerals processing.

Dissolution of bauxites in caustic solutions

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Image showing capillary reaction vessel for in-situ studies in place on the Inel diffractometer. Below the capillary can be seen the heating device and to the right is the slit block which defines the size of the X-ray beam. To the left is the beam stop which protects the detector from the direct beam.
Capillary reaction vessel, for in-situ XRD, on the Inel diffractometer.
In-situ x-ray diffraction (XRD) is helping scientists understand the mechanism of dissolution and crystallisation of minerals in bauxite.

The Bayer process involves the extraction of gibbsite from bauxite by dissolution in a sodium hydroxide solution at 150 – 220 ºC.

The presence of kaolinite or other sources of silicon in bauxite ores complicate the Bayer process by forming sodium aluminosilicates resulting in the loss of both sodium and aluminium from solution, both of which are costly to the mining industry.

Using in-situ XRD to study the mechanism of dissolution and crystallisation of the different minerals in bauxite helps researchers identify the conditions that minimise the formation of sodium aluminosilicates.

Experiments are planned to study bauxites using both synchrotron and neutron radiation sources.

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Fast facts

  • X-ray diffraction (XRD) is used to identify the minerals and crystalline phases present in geological speciments and processed materials
  • CSIRO has a long and successful history in applying XRD techniques to find solutions for scientific and industrial problems
  • In-situ XRD allows the laboratory-scale examination of mineral processing reactions under operating conditions, which is useful in determining reaction mechanisms and kinetics
  • On-line and in-plant XRD analysis can be used for dynamic plant control and quality control of industrial processing streams

Contact Information

Primary Contact

Mr Ian Madsen
Research Scientist
Process Science and Engineering
Phone: 61 3 9545 8785 
Fax: 61 3 9562 8919 

Contact

Ms Nicola Scarlett
Research Scientist
Process Science and Engineering
Phone: 61 3 9545 8784 
Alt Phone: 61 3 9545 8500 
Fax: 61 3 9562 8919 

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Process Science and Engineering Clayton VIC
Bayview Avenue
Clayton VIC 3168
Australia
Box 312
Clayton South VIC 3169
Australia

 

Process Science and Engineering Waterford WA
Conlon St
Waterford WA 6152
Australia
PO Box 7229
Karawara WA 6152
Australia