This disclosure relates to a process for selectively extracting Fe(III) ions from an aqueous feedstock containing Fe(III) ions and non-ferric ions. The process comprises contacting the feedstock with an organic phase comprising a phosphonium salt or ammonium salt ionic liquid under liquid-liquid extraction conditions for a time sufficient to allow transfer of at least some of the Fe(III) ions from the feedstock to the organic phase to provide an Fe(III) ion laden organic phase and an Fe(III) depleted feed-stock, and separating the Fe(III) ion laden organic phase from the Fe(III) depleted feedstock.

This disclosure relates to a process for selectively extracting Fe(III) ions from an aqueous feedstock containing Fe(III) ions and non-ferric ions. The process comprises contacting the feedstock with an organic phase comprising a phosphonium salt or ammonium salt ionic liquid under liquid-liquid extraction conditions for a time sufficient to allow transfer of at least some of the Fe(III) ions from the feedstock to the organic phase to provide an Fe(III) ion laden organic phase and an Fe(III) depleted feed-stock, and separating the Fe(III) ion laden organic phase from the Fe(III) depleted feedstock.

There is provided a process for purifying aluminum ions comprising: reacting an aluminum-containing material with an acid so as to obtain a composition comprising aluminum ions; precipitating said aluminum ions in the form of AlCl.sub.3; optionally converting AlCl.sub.3 into Al(OH).sub.3; and heating said AlCl.sub.3 or said Al(OH).sub.3 under conditions effective for converting AlCl.sub.3 or Al(OH).sub.3 into Al.sub.2O.sub.3 and optionally recovering gaseous HCl so-produced. Aluminum ions so purified are thus useful for preparing various types of alumina.

There is provided a process for purifying aluminum ions comprising: reacting an aluminum-containing material with an acid so as to obtain a composition comprising aluminum ions; precipitating said aluminum ions in the form of AlCl.sub.3; optionally converting AlCl.sub.3 into Al(OH).sub.3; and heating said AlCl.sub.3 or said Al(OH).sub.3 under conditions effective for converting AlCl.sub.3 or Al(OH).sub.3 into Al.sub.2O.sub.3 and optionally recovering gaseous HCl so-produced. Aluminum ions so purified are thus useful for preparing various types of alumina.

The invention describes methods for the production of a high purity aluminum salt solution via electrodialysis, and ultimately, the conversion of the high purity aluminum salt to high purity aluminum oxide.

The invention describes methods for the production of a high purity aluminum salt solution via electrodialysis, and ultimately, the conversion of the high purity aluminum salt to high purity aluminum oxide.

The invention describes methods for the production of a high purity aluminum salt solution via electrodialysis, and ultimately, the conversion of the high purity aluminum salt to high purity aluminum oxide.

The invention describes methods for the production of a high purity aluminum salt solution via electrodialysis, and ultimately, the conversion of the high purity aluminum salt to high purity aluminum oxide.

A process for preparing high purity alumina from aluminium-bearing materials is provided. The process digesting an aluminium bearing material to provide an aluminium chloride liquor, a first crystallisation vessel for crystallising aluminium chloride hexahydrate solids from the aluminium chloride liquor, optionally one or more subsequent crystallisation vessels for dissolving and recrystallising the aluminium chloride hexahydrate solids, and thermal treatment means for thermally treating the aluminium chloride hexahydrate solids to provide high purity alumina.

A process for preparing high purity alumina from aluminium-bearing materials is provided. The process digesting an aluminium bearing material to provide an aluminium chloride liquor, a first crystallisation vessel for crystallising aluminium chloride hexahydrate solids from the aluminium chloride liquor, optionally one or more subsequent crystallisation vessels for dissolving and recrystallising the aluminium chloride hexahydrate solids, and thermal treatment means for thermally treating the aluminium chloride hexahydrate solids to provide high purity alumina.