Uji Validitas Model Shrinking Core terhadap Pengaruh Konsentrasi Asam Sitrat dalam Proses Leaching Nikel Laterit

Abstract

Atmospheric pressure acid leaching process is one of nickel laterite processing which has a big potential to be applied in industry. The leaching process is influenced by several factors and one of them is concentration of acid as leachant. The purpose of this present study is to learn the effect of concentration of citric acid  on the use of shrinking core kinetic model. The process was done by varying citric acid concentration at 0.1, 1, and 2 M. The other operation conditions, such as particle size, solid-liquid ratio, temperature, stirring speed, and leaching process were kept constant at 125-150 μm, 0,2 sample mass/volume of acid solution, 85 ^oC, 200 rpm, and 120 minutes, respectively. The experimental results showed that the higher concentration of citric acid was used, the higher the percentage recovery of nickel was obtained. In addition, the validity test of shrinking core model indicated a positive impact to describe physical phenomenon of leaching process.

ABSTRAK

Proses atmospheric pressure acid leaching merupakan salah satu proses pengolahan nikel laterit yang berpotensi untuk diaplikasikan dalam skala industri. Proses leaching ini dipengaruhi oleh beberapa faktor, diantaranya konsentrasi asam sebagai leachant. Studi ini dilakukan dengan tujuan untuk mempelajari pengaruh konsentrasi asam sitrat terhadap penggunaan model kinetika shrinking core dalam proses leaching nikel laterit. Proses leaching dilakukan dengan memvariasikan konsentrasi asam sitrat sebesar 0,1; 1,0, dan 2,0 M. Kondisi operasi lainnya, seperti ukuran partikel, rasio padat-cair, suhu, kecepatan pengadukan, dan lama proses dijaga konstan pada 125-150 μm, 0,2 massa sampel/volume larutan asam, 85 ^oC, 200 rpm, dan 120 menit, secara berurutan. Hasil percobaan menunjukkan bahwa semakin tinggi konsentrasi asam sitrat yang digunakan, maka semakin tinggi pula nilai persentase recovery nikel yang diperoleh. Selain itu, uji validitas model shrinking core terhadap data percobaan menunjukkan dampak yang positif dalam mendeskripsikan fenomena fisis proses leaching.