Reduction studies on polymetallic sea nodules

Roast-reduction followed by ammonia leaching may be a commercially viable process for the treatment of polymetallic sea nodules. Inthis process selective reduction of metals is an important step. A study was made with two ditJerent reductant namely fuel oil and saw dust. It was found that both the reductant are equally good, iftemperature and time is carefully controlled. With 10wt% fuel oil the reduction of copper, nickel and cobalt was found 95%, 80% and 53% at 1023K. Whereas reduction with 20 wt% saw dust was 95%, 93.5% and 68% copper, nickel and cobalt respectively at 973K. The reduction of cobalt was found correlation with iron reduction because of substitution ofcobalt in the iron oxide lattice.