Extraction of alumina from coal fly ash generated from a selected low rank bituminous South African coal

The solvent extraction method was found to be superior for the removal of iron and titanium from the aluminium-containing aqueous solution in comparison with all of the purification methods evaluated in this study. The major final product obtained with the solvent extraction method contained approximately 99.4% alumina, whilst the minor product contained 97% titanium oxide. The alumina product can be used for the production of aluminium chemicals and in refractories, while the titanium oxide product can possibly be used as a white pigment in the production of paints.