Abstract:
Thermal studies were performed on the segregation roasting of pure nickel sulphate. The reaction path was found to be the same as for oxide segregation, although some deviation was observed during product,formation, where a metallic nugget was obtained as the end product. The nickel content in the metallic nugget has been analysed at 74% (remainder sulphur). The optimum reaction temperature appears to be 1100degreesC; with 10% CaCl2 + 10% charcoal addition (by weight); after roasting for 30 min, it is possible to extract a product containing 97% metallic nickel with 3% sulphur. (C) 2004 Institute of Materials, Minerals & Mining and Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. Published by Maney on behalf of the Institutes. Manuscript received 20 August 2002; accepted in final form 24 June 2004.