Leaching Process: Aluminium Hydroxide Precipitation

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In the leaching process of aluminum extraction from bauxite, alumina dissolves to form soluble sodium aluminate, while impurities are filtered out. The subsequent dilution and addition of freshly precipitated aluminum hydroxide lead to the precipitation of aluminum hydroxide. This occurs because the solution becomes oversaturated after being heated during leaching and then cooled. The introduction of solid aluminum hydroxide serves as nucleation points, facilitating the formation of aluminum hydroxide crystals. The discussion also briefly mentions environmental concerns related to impurities from this process, referencing a specific incident in Hungary.
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In the Leaching process of Aluminium, alumina present in bauxite dissolves forming a soluble sodium aluminate. The impurites are filtered off. The filtrate is diluted and a little freshly precipitated aluminium hydroxide is added which causes the precipitaion of aluminium hydroxide.

How does it cause the precipitation of aluminium hydroxide? According to Le Chatelier's Principle backward reaction will occur consuming aluminium hydroxide. What is the actual reason?
 
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The solution becomes over-saturated because the leaching is done at a high temperature, which is then lowered. Adding some solid aluminum hydroxide creates nucleation points for the precipitation.

(While we're on the subject, it's worth noting that those filtered-off impurities just spilled out all over in Hungary)
 
alxm said:
The solution becomes over-saturated because the leaching is done at a high temperature, which is then lowered. Adding some solid aluminum hydroxide creates nucleation points for the precipitation.

The solution becomes oversaturated with what? Aluminium Hydroxide?
Please elaborate 'nucleation points'.
 
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