Determination of the Optimum Conditions for the Production of Gamma Alumina (ɤ-Al2O3) By the Precipitation Method of the Sodium Aluminate Solution

Design of experiments (DOE) was made by Minitab software for the study of three factors used in the precipitation process of the Sodium Aluminate solution prepared from digestion of α-Al2O3 to determine the optimum conditions to a produce Boehmite which is used in production of ɤ-Al2O3 during drying and calcination processes, the factors are; the temperature of the sodium aluminate solution, concentration of HCl acid added for the precipitation and the pH of the solution at which the precipitation was ended. The design of the experiments leads to 18 experiments. The results show that the optimum conditions for the precipitation of the sodium aluminate solution which leads to the production of gamma alumina are 6.5 pH, Temperature of solution is 90 C and the concentration of the hydrochloric acid (HCl) is 21%. While all other conditions lead mainly to other phases of alumina which is mainly epsilon- alumina (ε-Al2O3).