In facing the scarcity of sulfide nickel ore, processing nickel laterite to form nickel pig iron becomes an important issue. Also, Indonesia inherits 10% of nickel laterite in the world, assigning as the third biggest country of nickel laterite possession in the world. Nickel pig iron is one of nickel products involving massive high-grade metallurgical coke consumption that is commonly being used as stainless steels. Consequently, high amount of carbon dioxide is also produced in this process. And so, substituting of the coke using bioreductor material – in this study, Coconut Shell Charcoal – is important.
The study is done by conducting several variables. The reductors used were Coconut Shell Charcoal and Anthracite Coal. The process was conducted in 800°C and 1000°C, in a muffle furnace, and between 15 to 240 minutes of reduction time.
Results from all reductors show that higher temperature indicates a better reduction process. Moreover, X-Ray Powder Diffraction (XRD) analysis data shows that there is no significant difference in the final product between two reductors. By replacing metallurgical coke using bioreductor, the carbon emission in the process can be reduced. Hence, providing a better process and environment to the next generation.
Abstract. Demand to process nickel-bearing laterite ore increase as continuous depletion of high-grade nickel-bearing sulfide ore takes place. Due to its common nickel association with iron, processing nickel laterite ore into nickel pig iron (NPI) has been developed by some industries. However, to achieve satisfying nickel recoveries, the process needs massive high-grade metallurgical coke consumption. Concerning on the sustainability of coke supply and positive carbon emission, reduction of nickel laterite ore using biomass-based reductor was being studied.In this study, saprolitic nickel laterite ore was being reduced by palm kernel shell charcoal at several temperatures (800-1000 o C). Variation of biomass-laterite composition was also conducted to study the reduction mechanism. X-ray diffraction and gravimetry analysis were applied to justify the phenomenon and predict kinetic model of the reduction. Results of this study provide information that palm kernel shell charcoal has similar reducing result compared with the conventional method. Reduction, however, was carried out by carbon monoxide rather than solid carbon. Regarding kinetics, Ginstling-Brouhnstein kinetic model provides satisfying results to predict the reduction phenomenon.
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