Nickel laterite Part 1 - microstructure and phase characterisations during reduction roasting and leaching
Authors: Rhamdhani, M.A.1; Hayes, P.C.2; Jak, E.2
Source: Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy, Volume 118, Number 3, September 2009 , pp. 129-145(17)
Publisher: Maney Publishing
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Abstract:
Detailed microstructure and phase characterisations of processed nickel laterite ore feed, reduced ore and leached ore have been carried out using scanning electron microscope, synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction and electron probe X-ray microanalysis as a part of study aimed to increase Ni recovery from the laterite ores. The majority of the nickel in the ore feed were found to be associated with fine grained goethite (Fe rich matrix of limonite composite) and serpentine particles. These phases were transformed to magnetite and olivine respectively upon reduction roasting. Nanosize metallic particles were also observed on the free surface of limonite composite particles following reduction roasting. Upon leaching, >90% of the nickel in the Fe rich matrix was leached out, while <50% was removed from the olivine and its composites. The characterisation results from this study were used to assist the analysis of thermodynamic and phase changes during reduction roasting and leaching described in Part 2 of the paper.Keywords: NICKEL LATERITE; CARON PROCESS; LATERITE REDUCTION; LATERITE LEACHING; NICKEL PROCESSING
Document Type: Research article
DOI: 10.1179/174328509X431391
Affiliations: 1: Faculty of Engineering and Industrial Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, VIC 3122, Australia; previously with Pyrometallurgy Research Centre, University of Queensland;, Email: ARhamdhani@swin.edu.au 2: Pyrometallurgy Research Centre, School of Engineering, the University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
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