Overview - ResearchResearcher preparing x-ray diffraction machine. Using x-ray diffraction to solve minerals processing problemsCSIRO Minerals is using in-situ and on-line x-ray diffraction analysis to examine various aspects of minerals processing. Mineralogical changes during pressure acid leaching of nickel lateritesPage 2 of 6 Researcher aligning a capillary sample for x-ray powder diffraction.
In-situ x-ray diffraction (XRD) studies were used by CSIRO scientists to examine the pressure acid-leaching process used to extract nickel from laterite ores. In-situ XRD replicates the industrial processing conditions and collects data while the process is occurring, that is at elevated temperature and pressure. This avoids potential artefacts from sample extraction and preparation affecting the results. Using this technique, scientists can observe reaction mechanisms and rates as well as transitory intermediate phases. CSIRO's study determined the reaction mechanisms of the nickel extraction process for different temperatures and acid concentrations. This contributes to the fundamental understanding of the process which is essential for its optimisation. Share this CSIRO content using: |
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