Efficient and Green Recovery of Iron and Chromium from Laterite Residue Using Biochar
摘要
Nickel, as a crucial metallic element, is extensively utilized in the new energy and stainless steel sectors. The rising demand for nickel in recent years has driven rapid progress in hydrometallurgical technology while also producing large amounts of laterite residue. At present, the laterite residue can be utilized to produce iron phosphate, representing a high-value utilization method. However, this approach is not effective for large-scale processing of the laterite residue. This research introduces a biomass-carbon-based smelting reduction ironmaking technology to efficiently handle the substantial amounts of laterite residue. Charcoal, as a biomass resource, is characterized by its high fixed carbon content and low ash content, making it an excellent reducing agent for the ironmaking process. Thermodynamic calculations were performed to analyze phase transformations, reaction mechanisms, and optimal conditions during metallization reduction. The optimal smelting reduction conditions were a mass ratio of charcoal to laterite residue of 0.21, 120 min, and 1475°C. Experimental results showed that under the optimal conditions, the product contained 95.76% iron and 2.64% chromium, with recovery of 95.09% for iron and 95.88% for chromium.