About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2026 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
Fundamentals of Sustainable Metallurgy and Processing of Materials
|
| Presentation Title |
Sustainable Nickel from Low-Grade Laterites: A Hydrogen Plasma Smelting Approach to Sustainable Metallurgy |
| Author(s) |
Ubaid Manzoor, Lais Mujica Roncery, Isnaldi Souza Filho, Dierk Raabe |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Ubaid Manzoor |
| Abstract Scope |
Nickel (Ni) is essential for sustainable energy systems, with demand projected to exceed 6 million tons annually by 2040, driven by the decarbonization of the transport sector. However, current Ni production methods rely on acids and carbon-based reductants, emitting ~20 tons of CO₂ per ton of Ni—making it one of the most environmentally damaging metals. we present a hydrogen plasma smelting reduction (HPSR) process for extracting Ni from low-grade laterites. This single-step, fossil-free method consolidates calcination, smelting, and reduction in one furnace, producing high-grade ferronickel alloys with rapid kinetics. Thermodynamic control enables the selective reduction of Ni, yielding alloys with minimal impurities (Si < 0.04 wt.%, P ~ 0.0 wt.%, Ca < 0.09 wt.%) and no further refining required. This method can potentially reduce direct CO₂ emissions by up to 84% and improve energy efficiency by 19% compared to conventional methods. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: |
| Keywords |
Extraction and Processing, Copper / Nickel / Cobalt, Sustainability |