Lateritic ore with high iron (36-46%) and low nickel (0.8-1.1%) contents from the Sukinda region of Orissa, India, was sulphated with sulphur dioxide-air mixtures to give selective extraction of the nickel. Various roasting parameters were studied, such as the partial pressures of SO2 and O2, temperature and roasting time. Selective extraction of nickel could be achieved at a SO2 partial pressure of 0.25-0.12 atm, temperature of 700°C and roasting time of 1 h. Under the optimum roasting conditions about 85% of the nickel was extracted with 4% of the iron. The reaction was observed to follow a Ginstling-Brounstein diffusion-controlled mechanism with an activation energy of about 23 kJ/mole. The nickel extraction can be improved by a further 10% through the addition of 5 wt% alkali sulphates during roasting.
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