Significant influence of self-possessed moisture of limonitic nickel laterite on sintering performance and its action mechanism

In consideration of the abundant moisture of limonitic nickel laterite mined, it is essential to determine whether the self-possessed moisture of limonitic nickel laterite after pre-dried is appropriate for sintering. Thus, based on the characterization of limonitic nickel laterite, the influence of its self-possessed moisture on sintering performance was expounded by sinter pot tests and the relevant mechanism was revealed by the systematical analyses of the granulation properties of sinter mixture, thermodynamic conditions during sintering and mineralogy of product sinter. The results indicate that the self-possessed moisture of limonitic nickel laterite indeed has significant influence on its sintering performance. At the optimum self-possessed moisture of 21 mass%, sinter indices are relatively better with tumble index, productivity and solid fuel rate of 48.87%, 1.04 t m−2 h−1 and 136.52 kg t−1, respectively, due to the superior granulation properties of sinter mixture and thermodynamic conditions during sintering, relatively large amount of silico-ferrite of calcium and alumina and tighter sinter microstructure. However, sintering performance of limonitic nickel laterite is still much poorer than that of ordinary iron ores. It is feasible to strengthen limonitic nickel laterite sintering by inhibiting the over-fast sintering speed and improving the thermodynamic conditions during sintering.