Activation pretreatment of limonitic laterite ores by alkali-roasting using NaOH

Activation pretreatment of Cr-containing limonitic laterite ores by NaOH roasting to remove Cr, Al, and Si, as well as its effect on Ni and Co extraction in the subsequent pressure acid leaching process was investigated. Characterization results of X-ray diffraction （XRD） and scanning electron microscopy/X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy （SEM/XEDS） show that goethite is the major Ni-bearing mineral, and chromite is the minor one. Experimental results show that the leaching rates of Cr, Al, and Si are 95.6wt%, 83.8wt%, and 40.1wt%, respectively, under the optimal alkali-roasting conditions. Compared with the direct pressure acid leaching of laterite ores, the leaching rates of Ni and Co increase from 80.1wt% to 96.9wt% and 70.2wt% to 95.1wt% after pretreatment, respectively. Meanwhile, the grade of acid leaching iron residues increases from 54.4wt% to 62.5wt%, and these residues with low Cr content are more suitable raw materials for iron making.

Leaching of magnesium from desiliconization slag of nickel laterite ores by carbonation process

The leaching of magnesium from desiliconization slag of nickel laterite ores by carbonation process was studied.The influence of various parameters was investigated to optimize the conditions and determine the kinetics of the reaction.The results show that with increasing stirring speed,liquid-to-solid ratio and reaction time,and decreasing temperature,the leaching rate of magnesium enhances.The leaching process of the desiliconization slag in the range of 288-298 K is controlled by the surface chemical reaction model.The apparent activation energy is-20.45 kJ/mol,and the kinetics model is obtained.

Synthesis and characterization of Co_3O_4 prepared from atmospheric pressure acid leach liquors of nickel laterite ores

A chemical precipitation-thermal decomposition method was developed to synthesize Co3O4 nanoparticles using cobalt liquor obtained from the atmospheric pressure acid leaching process of nickel laterite ores. The effects of the precursor reaction temperature, the concentration of Co2＋, and the calcination temperature on the specific surface area, morphology, and the electrochemical behavior of the ob- tained Co304 particles were investigated. The precursor basic cobaltous carbonate and cobaltosic oxide products were characterized and ana- lyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric differential thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, specific surface area analysis, and electrochemical analysis. The results indicate that the specific surface area of the Co3O4particles with a diameter of 30 rim, which were obtained under the optimum conditions of a precursor reaction temperature of 30℃, 0.25 mol/L Co2＋, and a calcination temperature of 350℃, was 48.89 m2/g. Electrodes fabricated using Co3O4 nanoparticles exhibited good electrochemical properties, with a specific capacitance of 216.3 F/g at a scan rate of 100 mV/s.

A green process for recovering nickel from nickeliferous laterite ores

A novel process was proposed for recovering nickel from nickeliferous laterite ores.First of all,silicon and magnesium were removed from lateritic ore by high concentration sodium hydroxide leaching and carbonation respectively,so as to enrich nickel. Then the method of ammonia carbonate leaching was adopted to recover nickel from the carbonized slag,and the remaining residue was used as a raw material for recovering iron.The effects of temperature,ammonia carbonate concentration,liquid/solid ratio and stirring speed on the recovery of nickel were examined.When the leached residue reacted with ammonia carbonate(6 mol·L- 1)in a ratio of liquid-to-solid of 5-1 at 60℃for 150 min at the stirring speed of 300 r·min- 1,approximate more than 95%nickel was recovered.During the whole process,there was no contamination produced and the chemical raw materials were recycled,thus the process was a green technology that having good social benefit.

Reinforcement of the two-stage leaching of laterite ores using surfactants

A two-stage leaching process,namely,highpressure acid leaching-atmospheric acid leaching,was used to treat laterite ores under mild conditions.The leaching ratio of Ni was low because of adsorption and incomplete leaching.In this work,surfactants were used as additives to boost the leaching ratio of Ni.The effect of surfactant type(cationic,anionic,and nonionic surfactants)on the leaching ratio of Ni was investigated.Leaching results showed that stearyl trimethyl ammonium chloride(STAC)apparently increased the leaching ratios of valuable metals.The variation in the physicochemical properties of the lixiviant and the residue improved the leaching ratio of Ni in the presence of STAC.Kinetics analysis indicated that the leaching process was controlled by chemical reaction.

Slag Resistance of Refractories for Direct Reduction of Laterite Nickel Ores in Rotary Kilns

Aiming at prolonging the service life of refractories for direct reduction of laterite nickel ores in rotary kilns,the slag resistance of ten materials(corundum bricks,chrome corundum bricks,silicon nitride bonded silicon carbide bricks,high alumina silicon carbide bricks,high alumina bricks,magnesia chrome bricks,magnesium aluminate spinel bricks,spinel chrome corundum bricks,chrome corundum castables and magnesia alumina chrome composite spinel bricks)was evaluated by rotary slag tests,which simulate the service conditions in rotary kilns.The corroded residual bricks were analyzed by SEM and EDS.The results show that the magnesia alumina chrome composite spinel brick possesses the advantages of magnesium aluminate spinel bricks and chrome corundum bricks;MgO-rich spinel can absorb the penetrated ferric oxide,and forms a dense zeylanite layer,which prevents the penetration of the molten laterite nickel ores;therefore,it is an ideal lining of rotary kilns for direct reduction of laterite nickel ores.

Effects of Na_2SO_4 on iron and nickel reduction in a high-iron and low-nickel laterite ore

This study investigates the reactions of Na2SO4 and its effects on iron and nickel reduction in the roasting of a high-iron and low-nickel laterite ore through gas composition, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscope analyses. Results showed that a reduction reaction of Na2SO4 to SO2 was performed with roasting up to 600℃. However, no clear influence on iron and nickel reductions appeared, because only a small amount of Na2SO4 reacted to produce SO2. Na2SO4 reacted completely at 1000℃, mainly producing troilite and nepheline, which remarkably improves selective reduction of nickel. Furthermore, the production of low-melting-point minerals, including troilite and nepheline, accelerated nickel reduction and delayed iron reduction, which is attributed to the concurrent production of magnesium magnetite, whose structure is more stable than the structure of magnetite. Reduction reactions of Na2SO4 resulted in weakening of the reduction atmosphere, and the main product of Na2SO4 changed and delayed the reduction of iron. Eventually, iron metallization was effectively controlled during laterite ore reduction roasting, leading to iron mainly being found in wustite and high iron-containing olivine.

Generation process of FeS and its inhibition mechanism on iron mineral reduction in selective direct reduction of laterite nickel ore

Numerous studies have demonstrated that Na2SO4 can significantly inhibit the reduction of iron oxide in the selective reduction process of laterite nickel ore. FeS generated in the process plays an important role in selective reduction, but the generation process of FeS and its inhibition mechanism on iron reduction are not clear. To figure this out, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy analyses were conducted to study the roasted ore. The results show that when Na2SO4 is added in the roasting, the FeO content in the roasted ore increases accompanied by the emergence of FeS phase. Further analysis indicates that NaeS formed by the reaction of Na2SO4 with CO reacts with SiO2 at the FeO surface to generate FeS and Na2Si2Os. As a result, a thin film forms on the surface of FeO, hindering the contact between reducing gas and FeO. Therefore, the reduction of iron is depressed, and the FeO content in the roasted ore increases.

Feasibility of co-reduction roasting of a saprolitic laterite ore and waste red mud

Large scale utilization is still an urgent problem for waste red mud with a high content of alkaline metal component in the future.Laterite ores especially the saprolitic laterite ore are one refractory nickel resource,the nickel and iron of which can be effectively recovered by direct reduction and magnetic separation.Alkaline metal salts were usually added to enhance reduction of laterite ores.The feasibility of co-reduction roasting of a saprolitic laterite ore and red mud was investigated.Results show that the red mud addition promoted the reduction of the saprolitic laterite ore and the iron ores in the red mud were co-reduced and recovered.By adding 35wt%red mud,the nickel grade and recovery were 4.90wt%and 95.25wt%,and the corresponding iron grade and total recovery were 71.00wt%and 93.77wt%,respectively.The X-ray diffraction（XRD）,scanning electron microscopy,and energy dispersive spectroscopy（SEM-EDS）analysis results revealed that red mud addition was helpful to increase the liquid phase and ferronickel grain growth.The chemical compositions＂Ca O and Na_2O＂in the red mud replaced Fe O to react with Si O_2 and Mg Si O_3 to form augite.

Evolution of ferronickel particles during the reduction of low-grade saprolitic laterite nickel ore by coal in the temperature range of 900–1250℃with the addition of CaO–CaF_(2)–H_(3)BO_(3)

The method of producing ferronickel at low temperature(1250–1400℃)has been applied since the 1950s at Nippon Yakin Kogyo,Oheyama Works,Japan.Limestone was used as an additive to adjust the slag composition for lowering the slag melting point.The ferronickel product was recovered by means of a magnetic separator from semi-molten slag and metal after water quenching.To increase the efficiency of magnetic separation,a large particle size of ferronickel is desired.Therefore,in this study,the influences of CaO,CaF_(2),and H_(3)BO_(3) additives on the evolution of ferronickel particle at≤1250℃were investigated.The experiments were conducted at 900–1250℃with the addition of CaO,CaF_(2),and H_(3)BO_(3).The reduction processes were carried out in a horizontal tube furnace for 2 h under argon atmosphere.At 1250℃,with the CaO addition of 10 wt%of the ore weight,ferronickel particles with size of 20μm were obtained.The ferronickel particle size increased to 165μm by adding 10 wt%CaO and 10 wt%CaF_(2).The addition of boric acid further increased the ferronickel particle size to 376μm,as shown by the experiments with the addition of 10 wt%CaO,10 wt%CaF_(2),and 10 wt%H_(3)BO_(3).

Two-stage reduction for the preparation of ferronickel alloy from nickel laterite ore with low Co and high MgO contents

The preparation of ferronickel alloy from the nickel laterite ore with low Co and high MgO contents was studied by using a pre-reduction-smelting method. The effects of reduction time, calcination temperature, quantity of reductant and calcium oxide (CaO), and pellet diameter on the reduction ratio of Fe and on the pellet strength were investigated. The results show that, for a roasting temperature > 800 A degrees C, a roasting time > 30 min, 1.5wt% added anthracite coal, 5wt% added CaO, and a pellet size of similar to 10 mm, the reduction ratio of Fe exceeds 70% and the compressive strength of the pellets exceeds 10 kg per pellet. Reduction smelting experiments were performed by varying the smelting time, temperature, quantity of reductant and CaO, and reduction ratio of Fe in the pellets. Optimal conditions for the reduction smelting process are as follows: smelting time, 30-45 min; smelting temperature, 1550A degrees C; quantity of reductant, 4wt%-5wt%; and quantity of CaO, 5wt%; leading to an Fe reduction ratio of 75% in the pellets. In addition, the mineral composition of the raw ore and that during the reduction process were investigated by process mineralogy.

Leaching of nickel laterite ore assisted by microwave technique

The application of microwave technique in the hydrometallurgy of nickel laterite ores was described.The mixture of nickel laterite ores and sulfuric acid was pre-treated by microwave irradiation.The dissolving of nickel was conducted in hot water at the atmospheric pressure.The effects of factors,such as microwave power,microwave irradiation time,and sulfuric acid dosage, were investigated.In microwave field,the migration of ionic species and/or rotation of dipolar species promote the liquid?solid reaction process due to the increased contact area of reactants and leaching reaction rate constant.Thanks to the strengthening action of microwave,the microwave-assisted leaching process has its advantages,such as higher extracting rate than conventional atmospheric leaching,and no need for high-pressure operation as high pressure acid leaching(HPAL).The ferric iron in leaching solution could be effectively removed by sodium jarosite process with a little loss of nickel in the jarosite precipitate.

Process development for the direct solvent extraction of nickel and cobalt from nitrate solution:aluminum,cobalt,and nickel separation using Cyanex 272

A direct solvent extraction（DSX） process for purifying nickel and cobalt from the nitric acid leach solution of nickel laterite ores was conceived and experimentally probed. The proposed process consists of two solvent extraction（SX） steps but with only one extractant - bis（2,4,4-trimethylpentyl）phosphinic acid（Cyanex？ 272） - used in both steps. The first extraction step involved the removal of aluminum and zinc, whereas the second extraction step involved the separation of cobalt along with manganese from nickel. The experimental results showed essentially quantitative removal of aluminum（〉97%） and zinc（〉99%） in a single extraction stage using 20vol% Cyanex 272 at pH 2.1. Some cobalt（32%） and manganese（55%） were co-extracted but were easily scrubbed out completely from the loaded organic phase using dilute sulfuric acid at pH ≤ 1.38. Cobalt and manganese in the first extraction raffinate were extracted completely in four extraction stages at staggered pH values of 4.0, 4.4, 4.5, and 4.0 in the first, second, third, and fourth stages, respectively, using also 20vol% Cyanex 272. A small amount of nickel（up to 6.6%） was co-extracted but was easily scrubbed out completely with dilute sulfuric acid at pH 2.0. A flow diagram showing the input and output conditions and the metals separated under the deduced optimum conditions is presented.

Preparation of Cr_2O_3 precursors by hydrothermal reduction in the abundant Na_2CO_3 and Na_2CrO_4 solution

Precursors of chromium oxide （p-Cr203） were prepared by reducing hexavalent chromium in the presence of sodium carbonate solution under hydrothermal conditions. Methanal was used as the reductant, and carbon dioxide was the acidulating agent. The influences of reaction temperature, initial pressure of carbon dioxide, isothermal time and methanal coefficient on Cr（VI） reduction were investigated. Ex- perimental results showed that Cr（VI） was reduced to Cr（III） with a yield of 99%. Chemical titration, thermogravimetry （TG）, X-ray diffrac- tion （XRD） analysis, and scanning electron microscopy （SEM） were used to characterize the p-Cr203 and Cr203. The series of p-Cr203 were found to be multiphase even if they presented different colors, from gray green to lavender. After these p-Cr203 samples were calcined, the product of rhombohedral Cr203 with a purity of 99.5wt% was obtained.

Kinetic study on leaching of nickel from Turkish lateritic ore in nitric acid solution

Dissolution kinetics of nickel from lateritic ore in nitric acid solution was investigated. Experimental parameters used were stirring speed(100-600 r/min), temperature(40-96 °C), nitric acid concentration(0.1-2 mol/L) and particle size(<106 μm). The shrinking core model was applied to the results of experiments investigating the effects of leaching temperature in the range of 40-90 °C and nitric acid concentration in range of 0.1-2 mol/L on nickel dissolution rate. The kinetic analysis shows that the nickel dissolution from lateritic ore could be described by diffusion model. The activation energy(E_a) for the dissolution reaction is calculated as 79.52 kJ/mol.

Direct smelting process for stainless steel crude alloy recovery from mixed low-grade chromite, nickel laterite and manganese ores

Stainless steel crude alloy recovery from direct smelting of low-grade chromite, nickel laterite and manganese ores was investigated. The mixed low-grade ores were directly smelted in an elevator furnace at smelting temperatures ranging from 1550 to 1600 ℃. Smelting experiments were conducted in a laboratory elevator furnace equipped with 8 U-shaped high- quality molybdenum disilicide heating elements. A low-grade coal was used as the reductant. Experimental results showed that the recovery of Fe, Cr, Ni, Mn and Si within the alloy increased from 34.22, 60.27, 57.14, 25.42 and 13.02% to 69.91, 99.26, 86.02, 60.8 and 34.21%, respectively, when the temperature was increased from 1550 to 1600 ℃. There was a general increase in the total recoveries of Fe, Cr, and Ni in the alloy with CaO addition increasing from 0.4 g up to 1.2 g. However, the recoveries of Mn and Si vividly decreased as the CaO contents were increased. In general, the recoveries of the metal contents of the crude alloy increase with the increase in the amount of manganese ore. Compared to the recoveries of Fe, Cr, and Ni when CaO was added, the recoveries of Fe, Cr and Ni were lower when manganese ore was used as an additive.

Influence of laterite nickel ore on extracting iron from Bayer red mud by carbothermal smelting reduction

In view of the difficulty of extracting iron from Bayer red mud,a new idea of adding laterite nickel ore into red mud was proposed to prepare a high value-added product.Toward this,the influences of laterite nickel ore on thermodynamic reaction,slagging and smelting reduction of extracting iron from red mud were studied.The results indicated that the product of extracting iron from red mud(R100)was changed with the addition of laterite nickel ore(R70L30).The slag of R100 was strongly basic,while the R70L30 was weakly acidic with composition closer to the ideal blast furnace slag.The metal recovery of R100 was 75.16%and that of R70L30 was 94.05%.At the same temperature,the slag viscosity of R70L30 was significantly lower than that of R100,which proved that laterite nickel ore can adjust the basicity,reduce melting point of slag and improve metal recovery.Because Fe,Ni and Cr in red mud and laterite nickel ore can be reduced sufficiently,a low Ni–Cr alloy cast iron can be directly prepared.

Effect of basicity and Al2O3 on viscosity of ferronickel smelting slag

The effect of the Al2O3 content and basicity (the molar ratio of MgO to SiO2) on the viscosity of a SiO2-MgO-FeOAl2O3-CaO slag was studied to fully understand the smelting process of the ferronickel alloy. Experimental results show that the slag is a mixture of liquid and solid phases at the experimental temperature. The viscosity decreased as the basicity increased and increased as the Al2O3 content increased. To determine the effect of the Al2O3 content and basicity on the structure of the molten slag, Raman spectroscopy was performed on the slag sample, which was quenched from the high temperature with water. The Raman spectra showed that the fractions of the polymerization structural units decreased significantly as the basicity of the slag increased, resulting in a decrease in the apparent viscosity. However, Al2O3 acts as a network former in the slag system, thereby making the slag structure further polymerized and increasing the viscosity.