Direct Reduction of Limonitic Laterite Nickel Ore with Variation Type of Reducing Agents to Fe, Ni Content and Recovery by Using Coal-Dolomit Bed Method

Abstract

The increasing demand for stainless steel and the scarcity of sulfide nickel ore affect the increase of laterite nickel ore processing. One of the processes that has been proven can be applied to process laterite nickel ore is direct reduction. In the direct reduction, the reduction atmosphere was adjusted by controlling the volume of CO and CO2 from carbon source materials, such as coal, charcoal, and green cokes. This research aims to analyze the effect of reducing agents type on nickel limonitic nickel briquettes on Ni and Fe content and recovery of Ni and Fe. The direct reduction process was conducted at 1400°C for six hours. The EDX test was conducted to analyze the elemental composition of the product, especially for Ni and Fe content. On the other hand, the XRD can be applied to analyze the compound formed in the product Greencoke will produce the highest Ni content (15.23%). The highest Ni recovery (96%) was obtained by the addition of green coke reducing agent. On the other hand, the highest Fe recovery (18.8%) was obtained by the addition of coal reducing agent.