Recovery of Nickel from Reformer Catalysts of Direct Reduction, Using the Pressurized Dissolving Method in Nitric Acid

B Abrar,M Halali,A Pourfathi

doi:10.48084/etasr.731

Abstract

In the process of direct reduction of iron pellet and production of sponge iron, NiO/Al2O3 act as a catalyst for the generation of carbon monoxide and hydrogen by vapor and natural gas. As an expensive material used in MIDREX method for steel units, this type of catalyst has major environmental problems after accumulation. The steel industry in Iran hopes to employ the MIDREX technique for the 80 percent of the 50 million tons of steel. Thus, the problem of spent catalysts will become a serious environmental challenge. Through the hydrometallurgy method, the present study investigates a possible solution to the problem of catalyst depot (due to heavy metals such as nickel) via nickel recovery, which may increase the possibility of selling or re-using the precious and expensive metal. The present research studied the Nickel recovery from spent catalysts of NiO/Al2O¬3 used in reduction gas reliefs of the production of sponge iron unit. In this study, the parameters of temperature, concentration, time and Rpm were studied using pressurized dissolving method. 100% efficiency was achieved at 140 °C for 120 minutes, nitric acid concentration of 1.5 mm, Rpm of 600 and 40 s/l 40 grams per liter.

Highlights

Hydrometallurgical methods and processes are considered as environmental-friendly by the metal recycling industry of various sources
The catalyst examined in this study is Al2O3/NiO and the focus of interest is the recovery of nickel from the waste
In the study phase, we focused on the similar catalysts of this method (Al2O3/NiO) in other industries such as petrochemical, oil and gas, and production of chemical fertilizer and vegetable oil

Summary

Introduction

Hydrometallurgical methods and processes are considered as environmental-friendly by the metal recycling industry of various sources. The benefits of such techniques includes low energy consumption, production of less gas pollutants and products, production of less waste and maximum recovery compared to other methods [1]. Spent catalysts are considered as secondary sources of some valuable elements. Many studies have been conducted to recover various metals from the waste. The catalyst examined in this study is Al2O3/NiO and the focus of interest is the recovery of nickel from the waste. Nickel oxide containing catalysts are often used as a catalyst in the process of reforming and hydrocracking [4]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion