Disclosed is a process for the elimination of volatile, foul-smelling organic
compounds which are liberated in a gas suspension calciner process utilized to
manufacture alumina. The process comprises recirculating captured alumina dust
on which undesirable volatile organic compounds are adsorbed to a location in the
manufacturing process (1) at or upstream (based on the path of the conveying gases)
from the gas suspension calciner and (2) which is operating at a temperature of
about 700 C. or higher. The adsorbed organic compounds are stripped off
the alumina dust and are subsequently directed by process air into the gas suspension
calciner furnace which is operating above 1000 C. under oxidizing conditions.
Under such conditions the organic compounds are oxidized to H2O vapor
and CO2. It is a preferred feature that the volatilized organic compounds
are adsorbed on the alumina dust in a baghouse.
