INVESTIGATION OF NICKEL DISSOLUTION FROM LATERITIC ORE IN SULPHURIC ACID MEDIA USING TAGUCHI METHOD

In this study, the dissolution of nickel from lateritic ore in sulphuric acid media using different conditions was investigated. Leaching time, stirring speed, temperature, sulphuric acid concentration and particle size were selected as experimental parameters. The orthogonal array (OA) experimental design plan was determined as L16. 16 leaching experiments were carried out with this experimental design under different conditions. Considering the metal dissolution recoveries (MDR) obtained from the results, signal/noise (S/N) ratios of each test condition were calculated and the analysis of mean and optimization studies were performed. As a result of the optimization works it was seen that the maximum MDR and S/N ratio were obtained in Test 10. After, this results were compared with the verification experiment. As a result of the leaching tests performed under the optimization conditions, it was determined that the S/N ratio was 38.97 and the metal dissolution recovery (MDR) was 88.97%. In addition, variance analysis (ANOVA) was applied to the test results and the percentage contributions of each factor for the extraction of nickel were determine