A method of making activated alumina includes beginning with a leach liquor of potassium and aluminum sulphates that is subjected to a surface-cooled crystallizer with a heat-exchanger input temperature of 160.degree. F. and a surface-chilled temperature of 60.degree. F. Crystals of aluminum sulphate are precipitated and recrystalized by evaporation in a vacuum and at an elevated temperature. Purified crystals of aluminum sulphate are then dried at 50.degree.-60.degree. C. The dried aluminum sulphate crystals are then dehydrated at 400.degree.-450.degree. C. after a rise rate of 50.degree.-60.degree. C. per minute to drive off most of the water. A roasting and recalcination step at 1000.degree. C.-1050.degree. C. after a rise rate of 50.degree.-60.degree. C. per minute is used drive off the sulphate. The remaining alumina is smelted by electrolysis for aluminum.