Evaluation of the Addition liquor with high ammonia and Carbon Dioxide contentin the still 208 of the “Comandante Che Guevara” industry (ECG)

Abstract

Adding fresh liquor through the 5th ring in still 208 of distilling liquor product (liquor obtained as a result of ammonium carbonate leaching of lateritic ore) in the “Comandante Che Guevara” industry, were evaluated with the objective of reducing the dissolved nickel content of the effluent there from, as well as to improve the characteristics of the nickel carbonate which is delivered to the calcinations process. For the development of the survey, the same methodology used in 2001 for the test was applied. The results showed that by adding fresh liquor, it is possible to reduce the dissolved nickel content at the exit of the distillation column, so that the need for precipitation is minimized, thereby reducing the consumption of reagents and the and the cost for their acquisition. It was possible to corroborate the relationship between the content of NH3 at the discharge and the nickel dissolved therein appreciating that to achieve these results it is necessary to maintain the ammonia in the discharge between 1,0-1,8 g/L. The carbonate obtained in the column where liquor is added with high CO2 and NH3 reached high values of this last element in its composition and to the extent that increased sulphur content decreased. It was also seen an increase in the size of the coarse carbonates particles, which will influence in a decrease of energy consumption.