A model of Fe3+-kaolinite, Al3+-goethite, Al3+-hematite equilibria in laterites

Abstract

AbstractThe distribution of Fe3+-kaolinite, Al-goethite and Al-hematite and their contents of Fe and Al in bauxites and ferricretes are controlled by water activity, dissolved silica activity, temperature and particle size. The proposed model, based on ideal solid-solution equilibria in the Fe2O3-Al2O3-SiO2-H2O system, takes into account water and silica activities. By using the same considerations as those previously developed for the Fe2O3-Al2O3-H2O system, the model calculates the amounts of coexisting phases, Al or Fe substitution ratios in goethite, hematite or kaolinite, and the stability field distributions of the minerals under various conditions. Thermodynamic equilibrium conditions and element distributions within the mineral constituents are shown to be dependent on the parameters cited above. The model yields results compatible with natural observations on lateritic profiles.