Nickel Recovery from Spent Ni / Al2O3 Catalysts Using Nitrik Acid Solution

Abstract

This Study Investigates the Possibility of recovering nickel from the spent catalyst (Ni / Al2O3) used in the steam reforming process of a fertilizer industry. In the leaching process, nickel is recovered as nickel nitrate using nitric acid as a solvent. The effect of acid concentration, temperature, solid to liquid ( S: L) ratio and reaction time on nickel recovery were examined. The 95 % leaching efficiency of nickel from the spent catalyst having size between 1-2 mm was achieved at optimized conditions; 40 % acid concentration (v/v) , temperature 90 C, Solid : liquid ratio of 1:10 g/ml and leaching time 5 hour.