Abstract
This study focused on the preparation of high-grade ferronickel concentrate, the behavior of efficient migration and the polymerization of ferronickel particles during reduction roasting, by adding calcium fluoride and a ferronickel concentrate to low-grade laterite ore from Yunnan. The effects of temperature, holding time, reductant content, ferronickel concentrate content and magnetic field intensity on the preparation of the ferronickel concentrate were studied and the optimum conditions were determined as follows: 30% ferronickel concentrate (metal Ni-4.68%, metal Fe-45.0%), 8% coal, 7% calcium fluoride, reduction temperature of 1250 °C, reduction time of 60 min and the intensity of magnetic separation is 150 mT. The proportion of nickel and iron in ferronickel concentrate was 88.7% (metal Ni-8.62%, metal Fe-80.1%), and the recovery efficiency of nickel and iron are 98.8% and 82.4%, respectively. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy indicated that ferronickel-concentrate, as an activating agent, improved the aggregation effect of ferronickel particles. The efficient migration and polymerization of ferronickel particles in the ore significantly increased the size of the ferronickel particles with additives, therefore a high-grade ferronickel concentrate was prepared, and the reduction and recovery efficiency of laterite nickel ore was improved.
Highlights
Nickel is an important strategic reserve metal and plays an extremely important role in the development of the national economy [1]
In order to cope with the present situation of high cost in stainless steel production, it has become important to develop and utilize laterite nickel ore, and produce low-cost ferronickel raw materials [3]
Laterite nickel ore from Yunnan Province was used as the raw material
Summary
Nickel is an important strategic reserve metal and plays an extremely important role in the development of the national economy [1]. China ranks first in the world, but the shortage of nickel resources has become increasingly problematic. With the rapid development of the stainless-steel industry, the demand for nickel is increasing [2]. The nickel used to produce stainless steel accounts for about 65% of global nickel production. In order to cope with the present situation of high cost in stainless steel production, it has become important to develop and utilize laterite nickel ore, and produce low-cost ferronickel raw materials [3]. With the depletion of high-grade nickel sulfide ore, low-grade laterite nickel ore has gradually become the main raw material for the nickel extraction [4,5,6,7]
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