Batch Digestion

A process in the Bayer refinery where discrete quantities of bauxite slurry are processed in pressurised vessels with caustic soda solution at elevated temperature and pressure to dissolve aluminium-bearing minerals. Unlike continuous digestion, batch processing allows flexibility in treating varying bauxite grades and mineralogy. Batch digestion is less common in modern large-scale refineries but may be used in testing, pilot operations, or facilities processing variable or specialty bauxite feedstocks.