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Phase Evolution and Ni-Fe Granular Growth of Saprolitic Laterite Ore–CaO Mixtures during Reductive Roasting

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Abstract

The correlations between phase evolution, fusion behavior, and Ni-Fe granules growth of laterite ore–CaO mixtures during reductive roasting have been investigated. The minimum melting point of 1220°C of the CaO-MgO-Al2O3-SiO2 system with 17–36 wt.% CaO is demonstrated via phase diagram analysis, and this point is decreased in the presence of FeO. This reveals that the fusion behavior in close association with the Fe-Ni granular growth can be regulated by altering the contents of CaO and FeO. Promoting the generation of diopside (CaMgSi2O6) may reduce the operating temperature from 1300–1350°C to 1150–1200°C, which ensures sufficient melting phase content. Moreover, reducing the CO partial fraction lowers the fusion temperature but hinders the growth of Ni-Fe grains. The average size of Ni-Fe granules in the reduced mixture with 17 wt.% CaO reaches nearly 20 μm at 1200°C for 1 h in a 100 vol.% CO atmosphere.

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to express their thanks to the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 51234008 and 51174230), the Co-Innovation Center for Clean and Efficient Utilization of Strategic Metal Mineral Resources and the Open-End Fund for the Valuable and Precision Instruments of Central South University for the financial support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Minerals Processing and Bioengineering, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, Hunan, China

    Jun Luo, Guanghui Li, Zhiwei Peng, Mingjun Rao, Yuanbo Zhang & Tao Jiang

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  1. Jun Luo
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  2. Guanghui Li
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  3. Zhiwei Peng
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  4. Mingjun Rao
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  5. Yuanbo Zhang
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  6. Tao Jiang
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Correspondence to Guanghui Li.

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Luo, J., Li, G., Peng, Z. et al. Phase Evolution and Ni-Fe Granular Growth of Saprolitic Laterite Ore–CaO Mixtures during Reductive Roasting. JOM 68, 3015–3021 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11837-016-2118-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11837-016-2118-4

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