Question

State the reason for addition of caustic alkali to bauxite ore during purification of bauxite.

Answer 1

1. Bauxite is naturally insoluble in natural solvents.
2. As a result, the addition of caustic alkali to bauxite is crucial for the extraction of aluminium.
3. Bauxite dissolves in caustic alkali to generate soluble sodium meta aluminate, while impurities remain insoluble and precipitate as red mud.