Red Mud

IIT Madras researchers have developed a method to treat Red Mud using phosphoric acid.

Key highlights of the research:

• Method by IIT Madras allows the extraction of valuable components such as metals and minerals.
• Treated materials can be used to create new ceramic materials with dielectric and optical properties.
• These ceramics are beneficial in various applications including electronics and energy storage.

About Red Mud:

• Red Mud, or bauxite residue, is a byproduct of the Bayer process used in converting bauxite into alumina.
• It is characterized by its distinctive red colour due to its high iron oxide content.
• For every tonne of alumina produced, about 1 to 1.5 tonnes of Red Mud are generated.
• The global production of Red Mud in 2020 exceeded 175 million tonnes as a result of over 133 million tonnes of alumina production.

Environmental and Health Concerns:

• Red Mud contains toxic heavy metals like arsenic, lead, cadmium, chromium, vanadium, and mercury, which pose significant health hazards.
• Its high alkalinity makes it extremely corrosive, damaging to soil, harmful to aquatic and terrestrial life forms and poses a substantial environmental risk if not managed properly.

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