KARAKTERISTIK NIKEL LATERIT INDONESIA PADA PEMANASAN DARI 600C SAMPAI DENGAN 1000C

Nickel obtained from laterite ore by pyrometallurgical processes to produce ferronickel. Nickel metal contained in the mineral carrier which nickel compound called magnesium silicate hydrate garnierite. Garnierite is the common name of magnesium silicate hydrate minerals including chlorite, clay and serpentine. 00 This research studied the phases formed when ore is heated from 600C to the temperature of 1000 C in an air atmosphere. Heating microscopy analysis samples analyzed using scanning electron microscopy SEM-EDX and to know dehydroxylation and recrystallization was studied using DTA-TGA instrument. It is known that there are endothermic peak at 78,8 °C temperature of 293,7 °C and 638,0 °C, is related to the release of free water and release of crystalline water. While the exothermic peak occurs at a temperature of 828,0 °C associated with changes in the structure for their dehydroxylation serpentine into forsterite phase. Based on the XRD chart in mind that the sample heating will produce olivine, forsterite and enstatite phase. Key words: Laterite, Lizardite, Roasting, Exotermic, Endothermic, Forsterite