Reduction of limonite ore from South Sulawesi with additive Na2SO4 using carbon monoxide

This study utilised a selective reduction method to generate ferronickel from limonitic ore, followed by a magnetic separation stage. The research explored the kinetics and the influence of time and temperature on nickel content and recovery. Sodium sulfate was incorporated as an additive, and carbon monoxide (CO) gas served as the reductant in a vertical tube furnace. Magnetic separation employed a permanent magnet set at 500 G. Reduction took place at temperatures of 900 degrees C, 1000 degrees C, and 1100 degrees C, with varying durations from 30 min to 180 min. Optimal recovery and nickel grade were achieved at 1100 degrees C for 180 min, reaching 70.07% and 8.49%, respectively. Increasing the reduction temperature and time correlated with enhanced recovery and nickel grade. Cette & eacute;tude a utilis & eacute; une m & eacute;thode de r & eacute;duction s & eacute;lective pour produire du ferronickel & agrave; partir du minerai de limonite, suivie d'une & eacute;tape de s & eacute;paration magn & eacute;tique. La recherche a explor & eacute; la cin & eacute;tique et l'influence du temps et de la temp & eacute;rature sur la teneur en nickel et la r & eacute;cup & eacute;ration. On a incorpor & eacute; du sulfate de sodium comme additif et le monoxyde de carbone (CO) a servi comme agent r & eacute;ducteur dans un four tubulaire vertical. La s & eacute;paration magn & eacute;tique a employ & eacute; un aimant permanent fix & eacute; & agrave; 500 G. La r & eacute;duction a pris place & agrave; des temp & eacute;ratures de 900 degrees C, 1000 degrees C et 1100 degrees C, avec des dur & eacute;es variables de 30 min & agrave; 180 min. On a obtenu la r & eacute;cup & eacute;ration et la qualit & eacute; du nickel optimales & agrave; 1100 degrees C pendant 180 min, atteignant respectivement 0.07% et 8.49%. L'augmentation de la temp & eacute;rature et du temps de r & eacute;duction & eacute;taient corr & eacute;l & eacute;s & agrave; une r & eacute;cup & eacute;ration et une qualit & eacute; de nickel am & eacute;lior & eacute;es.