The bauxite refining using the Bayer process produces 0.7 to 2.0 tons of the residue known as red mud and about 1.0 ton of CO2 for each ton of alumina produced. The bauxite residue, although not particularly toxic, poses risks to the environment due to its large volume and reactivity. According to the latest technology, part of the moisture is removed and it is stacked on sealed areas specially constructed. More than 95% of the bauxite residue that has been produced (2.6 Bt until 2007) was discarded, especially in ponds on land. This thesis shows the design, construction and operation of a pilot scale gas liquid mass transfer unity with the objective of testing the reduction of the reactivity of the bauxite residue through a reaction with flue gas. As an additional gain, there is a reduction of carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide emissions. This unity, with three reactors, was designed in order to consume minimal power, process the effluent as efficiently as possible and minimize the investment cost. Twenty-five experiments were realized with duration from 80 to 520 minutes each. The gases were analyzed at the entry and exit with electrochemical cells and non-dispersive infrared sensors. The pH was monitored during and after the reaction in order to evaluate the short and long-term results as well as the stability of the reactions. It was demonstrated the viability of reacting the bauxite residue with the flue gas from the refinery without previous processing with the stabilization pH reaching 10.5.
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