In the leaching of alumina from bauxite, the ore expected to leach out in the process by reacting with NaOH is :

Options

A. `SiO_(2)`
B. `TiO_(2)`
C. `ZnO`
D. `Fe_(2)O_(3)`

Answer

A

Explanation

Bauxite, usually contains `SiO_(2)`, iron oxide and titanium oxide `(TiO_(2))` as impurities . Concentration is carried out by digesting the powdered ore with a concentrated solution of `NaOH` at `473-523K` and 35-36 bar pressure . This way , `Al_(2)O_(3)` is leached out as sodium aluminate (and also `SiO_(2)` as sodium silicate ) leaving behind the impurities, iron oxide and titanium oxide.