Abstract
This Chapter provides an introduction to the Bayer process and how the mineral composition of bauxites affects the process variants and the principal parameters to be selected. The Chapter covers the rational of sizing of principal equipment (such as heat recovery system and reactors) and also of calculating the energy (heat) requirement of the digestion unit operation. Beside the processing behaviour of the main constituents of bauxite such as hydrated alumina and silica minerals, the Chapter covers the impact of other constituents, such as titania, iron compounds, organics, and other impurities. The use of lime in the Bayer process and the chemistry behind that is also discussed.