Nickel Leaching Agent for Selective Extraction From Oxidized Ore
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for leaching nickel from oxidized ores often result in the unintended leaching of silicon along with nickel, leading to inefficiencies and contamination issues.
Innovation Solution
A leaching method using a liquid leaching agent composed of a hydrogen bond acceptor contacted with hydrochloric acid and a hydrophobic organic compound, excluding unsubstituted alicyclic and aromatic hydrocarbons, selectively extracts nickel from oxidized ores containing both nickel and silicon.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If an acid-containing leaching agent is used to leach nickel from oxidized ore, then nickel extraction efficiency is improved, but silicon contamination increases due to simultaneous leaching of silicon
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the leaching process into two distinct stages: first using hydrochloric acid to selectively leach nickel from the oxidized ore, then using an organic base to extract and separate the nickel from the acidic leachate. This segmentation allows nickel to be extracted efficiently while silicon remains in the solid residue during the first stage, and is washed away during the second stage, thereby resolving the contradiction between extraction efficiency and silicon contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an organic base as an intermediary substance to mediate between the nickel-containing acidic leachate and the final nickel product. The organic base forms a soluble complex with nickel ions, enabling selective extraction of nickel from the leachate while leaving silicon and other impurities behind. This intermediary step is crucial for achieving both high nickel recovery and low silicon contamination.
2Quantity of substance
If conventional leaching methods are used, then nickel can be obtained from oxidized ore, but the process generates significant waste and requires extensive purification steps
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies the discarding and recovering principle by deliberately discarding the silicon-containing solid residue after the first leaching stage, which contains most of the silicon impurity. The nickel-containing acidic leachate is then recovered and treated with organic base to precipitate high-purity nickel compounds. This selective discarding of waste material (silicon-rich residue) while recovering the valuable component (nickel in leachate) significantly reduces overall waste generation and purification requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes parameter changes by transforming the chemical environment from acidic to basic conditions. In the first stage, hydrochloric acid creates an acidic environment favorable for nickel dissolution. In the second stage, adding organic base changes the pH and chemical properties, causing nickel to form a soluble complex that can be separated from impurities. This parameter change enables efficient nickel recovery while minimizing waste.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method allows for the selective leaching of nickel, minimizing silicon contamination and enabling the production of high-purity nickel sulfate with reduced waste generation.
Implementation Method 1
a hydrogen bond acceptor that has made contact with hydrochloric acid
Implementation Method 2
Nickel is then brought into contact with the organic phase to leach Ni into the organic phase
Implementation Method 3
a hydrophobic organic compound (provided that unsubstituted alicyclic hydrocarbon compounds and unsubstituted aromatic hydrocarbon compounds are excluded)
Implementation Method 4
a leaching method of leaching Ni from an Ni-containing oxidized ore using an acid-containing leaching agent
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a method capable of selectively leaching Ni from an oxidized ore containing Ni and Si. The method of leaching nickel from an oxidized ore according to the present disclosure includes the steps of: preparing a liquid leaching agent containing a hydrogen bond acceptor that has made contact with hydrochloric acid, and a hydrophobic organic compound (provided that unsubstituted alicyclic hydrocarbon compounds and unsubstituted aromatic hydrocarbon compounds are excluded); and contacting an oxidized ore containing nickel and silicon with the leaching agent.