Granite saprolite(GS)slope failure is a common yet catastrophic phenomenon in South China.Although the impact of subtropical climate,characterized by high temperatures and heavy rainfall,is widely recognized,the effec...Granite saprolite(GS)slope failure is a common yet catastrophic phenomenon in South China.Although the impact of subtropical climate,characterized by high temperatures and heavy rainfall,is widely recognized,the effect of the capillary imbibition and drying(CID)process,which frequently occurs during the dry season,on the hydro-mechanical properties of GS and slope stability is largely overlooked.This research examines natural GS specimens with various degrees of weathering subjected to CID cycles.The study investigates the capillary imbibition(CI)process and the evolution of the soil's hydromechanical properties across CID cycles.The results indicate that the CI process in GS is fundamentally different from that in clays and sands.The aggregated structure of GS comprising numerous fissures and large pores plays a critical role.In addition,the CID cycles cause the hydro-mechanical degradation of GS,including a finer particle composition,decreased shear strength,and increased permeability and disintegration potential,where damage to soil cementation and fissure development are identified as critical factors.This investigation reveals new insights into the mechanical properties of GS that are essential for the development of effective landslide management strategies in South China.展开更多
In order to explain the formation process of slope hazards, and to identify the key factors leading to instability of a slope, Emeishan basalt saprolite in vadose zones of the Touzhai landslide in Zhaotong, Yunnan, wa...In order to explain the formation process of slope hazards, and to identify the key factors leading to instability of a slope, Emeishan basalt saprolite in vadose zones of the Touzhai landslide in Zhaotong, Yunnan, was studied. The formation and evolution of Emeishan basalt saprolite was examined using, amongst other techniques, field investigations,thin section analysis, scanning electron microscopy(SEM) observations, chemical analysis, physical and water-physical property tests of rock masses. Field observations revealed that the majority of the weathered rock blocks were presented as a concentric layer structure in which an internal corestone was enveloped with several layers of external saprolized crust. Chemical and mineralogical analysis identified that iron was the most sensitive element and that the weathering progress usually started with the oxidation of Fe2+ to Fe3+ in rock blocks. Alkaline elements such as Si, Ca, Mg, Na and K were also dissolved and Fe and Al were concentrated in saprolized crusts. Results indicated that loss on ignition(LOI) also increased significantly. SEM results showed that the weathering intensity of thebasalt blocks decreased gradually from the outside to the inside, and the mineral morphology significantly differed on both sides of the weathering front. The saprolized crusts presented cellular microstructure features due to the generation of micropore and clay minerals. Thin section analysis showed that plagioclase was relatively more stable than pyroxene and chlorite during weathering. With a centripetal propagation of the weathering front, saprolized crusts became thicker and corestones became smaller; fresh Emeishan basalt blocks gradually turned into saprolized blocks. Due to the loose structure and low strength of saprolite, the quality of the Emeishan basalt mass significantly deteriorated, this being a potentially important factor which caused the Touzhai landslide to occur.展开更多
With the development of the new energy industry and the depletion of nickel sulfide ore resources,laterite nickel ore has become the main source of primary nickel,and nickel for power batteries has become a new growth...With the development of the new energy industry and the depletion of nickel sulfide ore resources,laterite nickel ore has become the main source of primary nickel,and nickel for power batteries has become a new growth point in consumption.This paper systematically summarizes the processes,parameters,products,recovery rates,environmental indicators,costs,advantages,disadvantages and the latest research progress of mainstream nickel extraction processes from laterite nickel ore.It also provides a comparative analysis of the environmental impact and economic efficiency of different nickel extraction processes.It is found that the current nickel extraction processes from laterite nickel ore globally for commercial production mainly include the RKEF process for producing ferronickel and the HPAL process for producing intermediate products.The former accounts for about 80%of laterite nickel ore production.Compared to each other,the investment cost per ton of nickel metal production capacity for the RKEF is about 43000$,with an operational cost of about 16000$per ton of nickel metal and a total nickel recovery rate of 77%–90%.Its products are mainly used in stainless steels.For the HPAL process,the investment cost per ton of nickel metal production capacity is about 56000$,with an operational cost of about 15000$per ton of nickel metal and a total nickel recovery rate of 83%–90%.Its products are mainly used in power batteries.The significant differences between the two lies in energy consumption and carbon emissions,with the RKEF being 2.18 and 2.37 times that of the HPAL,respectively.Although the use of clean energy can greatly reduce the operational cost and environmental impact of RKEF,if RKEF is converted to producing high Ni matte,its economic and environmental performance still cannot match that of the HPAL and oxygen-enriched side-blown processes.Therefore,it can be inferred that with the increasing demand for nickel in power batteries,HPAL and oxygen-enriched side blowing processes will play a greater role in laterite nickel extraction.展开更多
The semi-molten smelting process of a mixture of saprolitic and limonitic laterite ores was systematically investigated and the effect of slag basicity was deeply analyzed.The results indicate that the slag system can...The semi-molten smelting process of a mixture of saprolitic and limonitic laterite ores was systematically investigated and the effect of slag basicity was deeply analyzed.The results indicate that the slag system can be located in the liquidus region of low melting-point diopside(CaMgSi_(2)O_(6))when slag basicity is kept at 0.3 and limonitic laterite mass fraction is not less than 10%.When the reduction temperature,C/O mass ratio,limonitic laterite mass fraction and slag basicity are kept at the optimum values of 1300℃,0.86,20%and 0.3,respectively,ferronickel products with grades 6.42%Ni and 86.99%Fe are prepared.The recovery rates of Ni and Fe reach 88.60%and 72.25%,respectively.展开更多
The global nickel sulphide resources are becoming more difficult to mine and, as a result, there is increasing interest in the current and future development of the oxidic nickel laterite deposits. In comparison to th...The global nickel sulphide resources are becoming more difficult to mine and, as a result, there is increasing interest in the current and future development of the oxidic nickel laterite deposits. In comparison to the sulphide ores, the nickel laterites cannot be readily upgraded by conventional means and growing attention is being focused on the development of new methods for processing these ores. In this paper, firstly, brief overviews of laterite ore mineralogy and the conventional techniques used to extract the nickel from both the limonitic and the saprolitic nickeliferous laterites are provided. Secondly, previous research on the thermodynamic modelling of the reduction of the laterites is discussed. Thirdly, an improved thermodynamic model is used to predict the equilibrium products arising from the solid state reduction of both the limonitic and the saprolitic ores. Based on these thermodynamic predictions, the reduction behaviors of the two ore types are compared in terms of nickel recovery and grade in the ferronickel product. The effects of reduction temperature, ore composition and carbon additions were studied. Finally, the results from the simulations are compared to the experimental data available in the literature.展开更多
Landscape distribution, macroscopic, microscopic, mineral and geochemical characterizations were conducted on the Doumbouo-Fokoué bauxite ore deposit in order to estimate bauxites potential and its implication to...Landscape distribution, macroscopic, microscopic, mineral and geochemical characterizations were conducted on the Doumbouo-Fokoué bauxite ore deposit in order to estimate bauxites potential and its implication to general lowering of the relief. Fourteen bauxitic plateaus covering a surface area of 5.7 km2 were identified. Bauxitic pedons show deep weathered profiles (10.0 - 12.0 m) with thick bauxitic mantle (4.0 - 8.0 m). Saprolite and pisolith bauxitic facies own high aluminium (47.5% - 49.5% Al2O3), relatively low iron (20.0% - 22.0% Fe2O3) and low silica contents (1.8% - 7.6% SiO2). Gibbsite is the dominant mineral (49% - 68% of minerals detected by X-ray);meanwhile hematite, goethite and kaolinite occur in small amounts. Bauxitization corresponds to intense allitization with abundant accumulation of gibbsite and development of lateritic iron bearing ortho-bauxites. Bauxite ores yielded bauxite reserves of 9.2 million tons. They occur as old and residual bauxitic mantles representing remnants of the Miocene residual lateritic deposits in West Cameroon referring to the African surface of Valeton [1]. Its mean altitude (1532 - 1590 m als) below the African surface reveals general lowering of the relief.展开更多
The enrichment of Ni from a low-grade saprolitic laterite ore,which has been pre-treated by high pressure grinding roller（HPGR） to be 74% passing 0.074 mm and contains 0.92% Ni,18.47% Fe,10.61% MgO and 42.27% SiO2,w...The enrichment of Ni from a low-grade saprolitic laterite ore,which has been pre-treated by high pressure grinding roller（HPGR） to be 74% passing 0.074 mm and contains 0.92% Ni,18.47% Fe,10.61% MgO and 42.27% SiO2,was conducted by using pelletizing,rotary kiln reduction and magnetic separation process on a semi industrial scale,and the effects of reduction duration,mass ratio of coal to pellets（C/P）,the types of magnetic separator,the sections of grinding-separation and the grinding fineness on the recovery of Ni and Fe were examined.It is shown that nickel concentrate containing 3.13 % Ni and 59.20 % Fe was achieved at recoveries of 84.36 % and 71.51% for Ni and Fe,respectively under the following conditions：reducing at （1120±40） ℃ for 120 min,C/P being 1.0,wet grinding of reduced pellets up to 70%-87% passing 0.074 mm and a magnetic field intensity of 238.8 kA/m during the first section of grinding-magnetic separation,and a grinding fineness of 84%-91% passing 0.045 mm and a magnetic intensity of 39.8 kA/m during the second section of grinding-magnetic separation.The enriched Ni containing concentrate has a low content of S and P,and can be used for further processing to produce high-grade ferronickel alloy.展开更多
The method of producing ferronickel at low temperature(1250–1400℃)has been applied since the 1950s at Nippon Yakin Kogyo,Oheyama Works,Japan.Limestone was used as an additive to adjust the slag composition for lower...The method of producing ferronickel at low temperature(1250–1400℃)has been applied since the 1950s at Nippon Yakin Kogyo,Oheyama Works,Japan.Limestone was used as an additive to adjust the slag composition for lowering the slag melting point.The ferronickel product was recovered by means of a magnetic separator from semi-molten slag and metal after water quenching.To increase the efficiency of magnetic separation,a large particle size of ferronickel is desired.Therefore,in this study,the influences of CaO,CaF_(2),and H_(3)BO_(3) additives on the evolution of ferronickel particle at≤1250℃were investigated.The experiments were conducted at 900–1250℃with the addition of CaO,CaF_(2),and H_(3)BO_(3).The reduction processes were carried out in a horizontal tube furnace for 2 h under argon atmosphere.At 1250℃,with the CaO addition of 10 wt%of the ore weight,ferronickel particles with size of 20μm were obtained.The ferronickel particle size increased to 165μm by adding 10 wt%CaO and 10 wt%CaF_(2).The addition of boric acid further increased the ferronickel particle size to 376μm,as shown by the experiments with the addition of 10 wt%CaO,10 wt%CaF_(2),and 10 wt%H_(3)BO_(3).展开更多
Numerous examples of long term landscape are presented relating soil and regolith tolandforms going back to Cenozoic or Mesozoic times. Many conventional approaches to soil areinappropriate for such materials. It is i...Numerous examples of long term landscape are presented relating soil and regolith tolandforms going back to Cenozoic or Mesozoic times. Many conventional approaches to soil areinappropriate for such materials. It is important to study the entire regolith, and realise it seldomreveals all the changes of climate ithas experienced.展开更多
基金financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.42307212 and 42177148)the Open Research Fund of State Key Laboratory of Geomechanics and Geotechnical Engineering,Institute of Rock and Soil Mechanics,Chinese Academy of Sciences(Grant No.SKLGME023005).
文摘Granite saprolite(GS)slope failure is a common yet catastrophic phenomenon in South China.Although the impact of subtropical climate,characterized by high temperatures and heavy rainfall,is widely recognized,the effect of the capillary imbibition and drying(CID)process,which frequently occurs during the dry season,on the hydro-mechanical properties of GS and slope stability is largely overlooked.This research examines natural GS specimens with various degrees of weathering subjected to CID cycles.The study investigates the capillary imbibition(CI)process and the evolution of the soil's hydromechanical properties across CID cycles.The results indicate that the CI process in GS is fundamentally different from that in clays and sands.The aggregated structure of GS comprising numerous fissures and large pores plays a critical role.In addition,the CID cycles cause the hydro-mechanical degradation of GS,including a finer particle composition,decreased shear strength,and increased permeability and disintegration potential,where damage to soil cementation and fissure development are identified as critical factors.This investigation reveals new insights into the mechanical properties of GS that are essential for the development of effective landslide management strategies in South China.
基金funded by the Joint Funds of the Natural Science Foundation of China with the Natural Science Foundation of Yunnan (Grant No. U1502232,U1033601)the Research Fund for the Doctoral Program of Higher Education of China(Grant No. 20135314110005)
文摘In order to explain the formation process of slope hazards, and to identify the key factors leading to instability of a slope, Emeishan basalt saprolite in vadose zones of the Touzhai landslide in Zhaotong, Yunnan, was studied. The formation and evolution of Emeishan basalt saprolite was examined using, amongst other techniques, field investigations,thin section analysis, scanning electron microscopy(SEM) observations, chemical analysis, physical and water-physical property tests of rock masses. Field observations revealed that the majority of the weathered rock blocks were presented as a concentric layer structure in which an internal corestone was enveloped with several layers of external saprolized crust. Chemical and mineralogical analysis identified that iron was the most sensitive element and that the weathering progress usually started with the oxidation of Fe2+ to Fe3+ in rock blocks. Alkaline elements such as Si, Ca, Mg, Na and K were also dissolved and Fe and Al were concentrated in saprolized crusts. Results indicated that loss on ignition(LOI) also increased significantly. SEM results showed that the weathering intensity of thebasalt blocks decreased gradually from the outside to the inside, and the mineral morphology significantly differed on both sides of the weathering front. The saprolized crusts presented cellular microstructure features due to the generation of micropore and clay minerals. Thin section analysis showed that plagioclase was relatively more stable than pyroxene and chlorite during weathering. With a centripetal propagation of the weathering front, saprolized crusts became thicker and corestones became smaller; fresh Emeishan basalt blocks gradually turned into saprolized blocks. Due to the loose structure and low strength of saprolite, the quality of the Emeishan basalt mass significantly deteriorated, this being a potentially important factor which caused the Touzhai landslide to occur.
基金This research was jointly supported by the China Geological Survey Project(DD20211404)the Natural Science Foundation of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region(2019LH05028).
文摘With the development of the new energy industry and the depletion of nickel sulfide ore resources,laterite nickel ore has become the main source of primary nickel,and nickel for power batteries has become a new growth point in consumption.This paper systematically summarizes the processes,parameters,products,recovery rates,environmental indicators,costs,advantages,disadvantages and the latest research progress of mainstream nickel extraction processes from laterite nickel ore.It also provides a comparative analysis of the environmental impact and economic efficiency of different nickel extraction processes.It is found that the current nickel extraction processes from laterite nickel ore globally for commercial production mainly include the RKEF process for producing ferronickel and the HPAL process for producing intermediate products.The former accounts for about 80%of laterite nickel ore production.Compared to each other,the investment cost per ton of nickel metal production capacity for the RKEF is about 43000$,with an operational cost of about 16000$per ton of nickel metal and a total nickel recovery rate of 77%–90%.Its products are mainly used in stainless steels.For the HPAL process,the investment cost per ton of nickel metal production capacity is about 56000$,with an operational cost of about 15000$per ton of nickel metal and a total nickel recovery rate of 83%–90%.Its products are mainly used in power batteries.The significant differences between the two lies in energy consumption and carbon emissions,with the RKEF being 2.18 and 2.37 times that of the HPAL,respectively.Although the use of clean energy can greatly reduce the operational cost and environmental impact of RKEF,if RKEF is converted to producing high Ni matte,its economic and environmental performance still cannot match that of the HPAL and oxygen-enriched side-blown processes.Therefore,it can be inferred that with the increasing demand for nickel in power batteries,HPAL and oxygen-enriched side blowing processes will play a greater role in laterite nickel extraction.
基金supports from the National Key R&D Program of China(No.2022YFC3901404)the Natural Science Foundation of Chongqing,China(No.CSTB2023NSCQ-BHX0166)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities,China(No.2023CDJXY-016)are sincerely acknowledged.
文摘The semi-molten smelting process of a mixture of saprolitic and limonitic laterite ores was systematically investigated and the effect of slag basicity was deeply analyzed.The results indicate that the slag system can be located in the liquidus region of low melting-point diopside(CaMgSi_(2)O_(6))when slag basicity is kept at 0.3 and limonitic laterite mass fraction is not less than 10%.When the reduction temperature,C/O mass ratio,limonitic laterite mass fraction and slag basicity are kept at the optimum values of 1300℃,0.86,20%and 0.3,respectively,ferronickel products with grades 6.42%Ni and 86.99%Fe are prepared.The recovery rates of Ni and Fe reach 88.60%and 72.25%,respectively.
文摘The global nickel sulphide resources are becoming more difficult to mine and, as a result, there is increasing interest in the current and future development of the oxidic nickel laterite deposits. In comparison to the sulphide ores, the nickel laterites cannot be readily upgraded by conventional means and growing attention is being focused on the development of new methods for processing these ores. In this paper, firstly, brief overviews of laterite ore mineralogy and the conventional techniques used to extract the nickel from both the limonitic and the saprolitic nickeliferous laterites are provided. Secondly, previous research on the thermodynamic modelling of the reduction of the laterites is discussed. Thirdly, an improved thermodynamic model is used to predict the equilibrium products arising from the solid state reduction of both the limonitic and the saprolitic ores. Based on these thermodynamic predictions, the reduction behaviors of the two ore types are compared in terms of nickel recovery and grade in the ferronickel product. The effects of reduction temperature, ore composition and carbon additions were studied. Finally, the results from the simulations are compared to the experimental data available in the literature.
文摘Landscape distribution, macroscopic, microscopic, mineral and geochemical characterizations were conducted on the Doumbouo-Fokoué bauxite ore deposit in order to estimate bauxites potential and its implication to general lowering of the relief. Fourteen bauxitic plateaus covering a surface area of 5.7 km2 were identified. Bauxitic pedons show deep weathered profiles (10.0 - 12.0 m) with thick bauxitic mantle (4.0 - 8.0 m). Saprolite and pisolith bauxitic facies own high aluminium (47.5% - 49.5% Al2O3), relatively low iron (20.0% - 22.0% Fe2O3) and low silica contents (1.8% - 7.6% SiO2). Gibbsite is the dominant mineral (49% - 68% of minerals detected by X-ray);meanwhile hematite, goethite and kaolinite occur in small amounts. Bauxitization corresponds to intense allitization with abundant accumulation of gibbsite and development of lateritic iron bearing ortho-bauxites. Bauxite ores yielded bauxite reserves of 9.2 million tons. They occur as old and residual bauxitic mantles representing remnants of the Miocene residual lateritic deposits in West Cameroon referring to the African surface of Valeton [1]. Its mean altitude (1532 - 1590 m als) below the African surface reveals general lowering of the relief.
基金Project(NDRC-Hitech Office 2009-606)supported by the National Development and Reform Commission of ChinaProject(50974135)supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China
文摘The enrichment of Ni from a low-grade saprolitic laterite ore,which has been pre-treated by high pressure grinding roller（HPGR） to be 74% passing 0.074 mm and contains 0.92% Ni,18.47% Fe,10.61% MgO and 42.27% SiO2,was conducted by using pelletizing,rotary kiln reduction and magnetic separation process on a semi industrial scale,and the effects of reduction duration,mass ratio of coal to pellets（C/P）,the types of magnetic separator,the sections of grinding-separation and the grinding fineness on the recovery of Ni and Fe were examined.It is shown that nickel concentrate containing 3.13 % Ni and 59.20 % Fe was achieved at recoveries of 84.36 % and 71.51% for Ni and Fe,respectively under the following conditions：reducing at （1120±40） ℃ for 120 min,C/P being 1.0,wet grinding of reduced pellets up to 70%-87% passing 0.074 mm and a magnetic field intensity of 238.8 kA/m during the first section of grinding-magnetic separation,and a grinding fineness of 84%-91% passing 0.045 mm and a magnetic intensity of 39.8 kA/m during the second section of grinding-magnetic separation.The enriched Ni containing concentrate has a low content of S and P,and can be used for further processing to produce high-grade ferronickel alloy.
基金the Program of Research,Community Service,and Innovation of the Institut Teknologi Bandung(P3MI–ITB)for funding this research。
文摘The method of producing ferronickel at low temperature(1250–1400℃)has been applied since the 1950s at Nippon Yakin Kogyo,Oheyama Works,Japan.Limestone was used as an additive to adjust the slag composition for lowering the slag melting point.The ferronickel product was recovered by means of a magnetic separator from semi-molten slag and metal after water quenching.To increase the efficiency of magnetic separation,a large particle size of ferronickel is desired.Therefore,in this study,the influences of CaO,CaF_(2),and H_(3)BO_(3) additives on the evolution of ferronickel particle at≤1250℃were investigated.The experiments were conducted at 900–1250℃with the addition of CaO,CaF_(2),and H_(3)BO_(3).The reduction processes were carried out in a horizontal tube furnace for 2 h under argon atmosphere.At 1250℃,with the CaO addition of 10 wt%of the ore weight,ferronickel particles with size of 20μm were obtained.The ferronickel particle size increased to 165μm by adding 10 wt%CaO and 10 wt%CaF_(2).The addition of boric acid further increased the ferronickel particle size to 376μm,as shown by the experiments with the addition of 10 wt%CaO,10 wt%CaF_(2),and 10 wt%H_(3)BO_(3).
文摘Numerous examples of long term landscape are presented relating soil and regolith tolandforms going back to Cenozoic or Mesozoic times. Many conventional approaches to soil areinappropriate for such materials. It is important to study the entire regolith, and realise it seldomreveals all the changes of climate ithas experienced.
