Preparation of ferronickel from nickel laterite via coal-based reduction followed by magnetic separation

Lun-wei Wang; Xue-ming L&#252;; Mei Liu; Zhi-xiong You; Xue-wei L&#252;; Chen-guang Bai

doi:10.1007/s12613-018-1622-7

Volume 25 Issue 7

Jul. 2018

Turn off MathJax

Article Contents

Article Navigation > International Journal of Minerals, Metallurgy and Materials > 2018 > 25(7): 744-751

Lun-wei Wang, Xue-ming Lü, Mei Liu, Zhi-xiong You, Xue-wei Lü, and Chen-guang Bai, Preparation of ferronickel from nickel laterite via coal-based reduction followed by magnetic separation, Int. J. Miner. Metall. Mater., 25(2018), No. 7, pp. 744-751. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-018-1622-7

Cite this article as:

Lun-wei Wang, Xue-ming Lü, Mei Liu, Zhi-xiong You, Xue-wei Lü, and Chen-guang Bai, Preparation of ferronickel from nickel laterite via coal-based reduction followed by magnetic separation, Int. J. Miner. Metall. Mater., 25(2018), No. 7, pp. 744-751. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-018-1622-7

Citation:

PDF( 920 KB)

Research Article

Preparation of ferronickel from nickel laterite via coal-based reduction followed by magnetic separation

+ Author Affiliations

Corresponding authors:
Zhi-xiong You E-mail: youzx@cqu.edu.cn

Xue-wei Lü E-mail: lvxuewei@163.com
Received: 18 October 2017; Revised: 12 January 2018; Accepted: 30 January 2018

Abstract

Abstract

The sticking phenomenon between molten slag and refractory is one of the crucial problems when preparing ferronickel from laterite ore using rotary hearth furnace or rotary kiln processes. This study aims to ameliorate sticking problems by using silicon dioxide (SiO₂) to adjust the melting degree of the briquette during reduction roasting. Thermodynamic analysis indicates that the melting temperature of the slag gradually increases with an increase in the SiO₂ proportion (SiO₂/(SiO₂ + Al₂O₃ + MgO) mass ratio). Experimental validations also prove that the briquette retains its original shape when the SiO₂ proportion is greater than 75wt%, and sticking problems are avoided during reduction. A ferronickel product with 8.33wt% Ni and 84.71wt% Fe was prepared via reductive roasting at 1500℃ for 90 min with a SiO₂ proportion of 75wt% and a C/O molar ratio of 1.0 followed by dry magnetic separation; the corresponding recoveries of Ni and Fe reached 75.70% and 77.97%, respectively. The microstructure and phase transformation of reduced briquette reveals that the aggregation and growth of ferronickel particles were not significantly affected after adding SiO₂ to the reduction process.
- nickel laterite;
- carbothermal reduction;
- ferronickel;
- magnetic separation

FullText(HTML)

Supplements(0)

References(24)

References

[1]	M.O. Speidel, Nitrogen containing austenitic stainless steels, Mat-wiss. u. Werkstoiftech., 37(2006), No. 10, p. 875.
[2]	M. Liu, X.W. Lv, E.G. Guo, P. Chen, and Q.G. Yuan, Novel process of ferronickel nugget production from nickel laterite by semi-molten state reduction, ISIJ Int., 54(2014), No. 8, p. 1749.
[3]	G.M. Mudd, Global trends and environmental issues in nickel mining: Sulfides versus laterites, Ore Geol. Rev., 38(2010), No. 1-2, p. 9.
[4]	M.J. Rao, G.H. Li, T. Jiang, J. Luo, Y.B. Zhang, and X.H. Fan, Carbothermic reduction of nickeliferous laterite ores for nickel pig iron production in China: A review, JOM, 65(2013), No. 11, p. 1573.
[5]	D.Q. Zhu, Y. Cui, K. Vining, S. Hapugoda, J. Douglas, J. Pan, and G.L. Zheng, Upgrading low nickel grade laterite ores using selective reduction followed by magnetic separation, Int. J. Miner. Process., 106-109(2012), p. 1.
[6]	A.D. Dalvi, W.G. Bacon, and R.C. Osborne, The past and the future of nickel laterites, [in] PDAC 2004 International Convention, Trade Show and Investors Exhange, Toronto, 2004, p. 1.
[7]	X.W. Lv, C.G. Bai, S.P. He, and Q.Y. Huang, Mineral change of philippine and indonesia nickel lateritic ore during sintering and mineralogy of their sinter, ISIJ Int., 50(2010), No. 3, p. 380.
[8]	C. Pan, C.G. Bai, X.W. Lv, M.L. Hu, and T. Hu, Gaseous reduction of pellets of laterite ore containing carbon, Metal. Int., 16(2011), No. 1, p. 5.
[9]	X.M. Lv, X.W. Lv, L.W. Wang, J. Qiu, and M. Liu, Viscosity and structure evolution of the SiO₂–MgO–FeO–CaO–Al₂O₃ slag in ferronickel smelting process from laterite, J. Min. Metall. Sect. B, 53(2017), No. 2, p. 147.
[10]	X.M. Lv, X.W. Lv, L.W. Wang, and J. Qiu. Thermal analysis kinetics of the solid-state reduction of nickel laterite ores by carbon, [in] 8th International Symposium on High-Temperature Metallurgical Processing, San Diego, 2017, p. 147.
[11]	W. Luo, Q.M. Feng, L.M. Ou, G.F. Zhang, and Y.P. Lu, Fast dissolution of nickel from a lizardite-rich saprolitic laterite by sulphuric acid at atmospheric pressure, Hydrometallurgy, 96(2009), No. 1-2, p. 171.
[12]	G.W. Miller and H.Y. Liu. Process for Recovery of Nickel and Cobalt by Heap Leaching of Low Grade Nickel or Cobalt Containing Material, US patent, Appl. 04737564.7, 2010.
[13]	R.A. Bergman, Nickel production from low-iron laterite ores: Process descriptions, CIM Bull., 96(2003), No. 1072, p. 127.
[14]	T. Norgate and S. Jahanshahi, Low grade ores ― Smelt, leach or concentrate? Miner. Eng., 23(2010), No. 2, p. 65.
[15]	E.N. Zevgolis, C. Zografidis, T. Perraki, and E. Devlin, Phase transformations of nickeliferous laterites during preheating and reduction with carbon monoxide, J. Therm. Anal. Calorim., 100(2010), No. 1, p. 133.
[16]	T. Watanabe, S. Ono, H. Arai, and T. Matsumori, Direct reduction of garnierite ore for production of ferro-nickel with a rotary kiln at Nippon Yakin Kogyo Co., Ltd., Oheyama Works, Int. J. Miner. Process., 19(1987), No. 1-4, p. 173.
[17]	T. Matsumori, T. Ishizuka, and T. Matsuda, An economical smelting method of ferro-nickel as raw material of stainless steel, Metall. Rev. MMIJ, 13(1996), No. 1, p. 144.
[18]	B.Z. Ma, P. Xing, W.J Yang, C.Y Wang, Y.Q Chen, and H. Wang, Solid-state metalized reduction of magnesium-rich low-nickel oxide ores using coal as the reductant based on thermodynamic analysis, Metall. Mater. Trans. B, 48(2017), No. 4, p. 2037.
[19]	M. Jiang, T.C. Sun, Z.G. Liu, J. Kou, N. Liu, and S.Y. Zhang, Mechanism of sodium sulfate in promoting selective reduction of nickel laterite ore during reduction roasting process, Int. J. Miner. Process., 123(2013), p. 32.
[20]	M. Valix and W.H. Cheung, Effect of sulfur on the mineral phases of laterite ores at high temperature reduction, Miner. Eng., 15(2002), No. 7, p. 523.
[21]	W. Liang, H. Wang, J.G. Fu, and Z.X. He, High recovery of ferro-nickel from low grade nickel laterite ore, J. Cent. South Univ., 42(2011), No. 8, p. 2173.
[22]	C.C. Lin, Z.J. Liang, H.D. Hua, M. Rui, and J.G. Shao, Enrichment of nickel and iron from nickel laterite ore/coal composite pellets by deep reduction and magnetic separation, J. Univ. Sci. Technol. Beijing, 33(2011), No. 3, p. 270.
[23]	F.M. Zhang, Progress of rotary hearth furnace direct reduction technology, [in] 5th International Conference on Science and Technology of Ironmaking, Shanghai, 2009, p. 1347.
[24]	Y.Y. Zhang, Y.H. Qi, Z.S. Zou, and Y.G. Li, Development prospect of rotary hearth furnace process in China, Adv. Mater. Res., 746(2013), p. 533.