Recovery of manganese and nickel from polymetallic manganese nodule using commercial extractants

The effect of Fe3+ ions on the electrochemical behaviour of ocean manganese nodule reduction leaching in sulphuric acid solution

The effect of Fe³⁺ ions on the ocean manganese nodule reductive leaching in imitated sulphuric acid solutions was investigated. This work is presented in two courses, including the influence of Fe³⁺ ions on valuable metal extraction and the electrochemical reductive dissolution of manganese nodules. The results show that the beneficial effects of Fe³⁺ ion can be interpreted based on two aspects: the first is the acceleration caused by the active transformation of Fe³⁺/Fe²⁺ pair, and the second is the hydrogen ion buffer action generated by Fe³⁺ ion hydrolysis on the surface. On one side, Fe³⁺ ion could lessen the hydrogen consumption happening at the interface layer of the nodule supported by the leaching test and cyclic voltammetry results. On the other side, Fe³⁺ ions could be converted into Fe²⁺ ions and then preferentially reduce manganese oxide leading to an acceleration of the charge transfer reaction of the manganese nodule based on cyclic voltammetry, polarization, and impedance analysis results. The reduction leaching of manganese nodules in sulphuric acid solution is mainly controlled by the electrochemical interface reduction corresponding to manganese oxide dissolution, and the active conversion of the Fe³⁺/Fe²⁺ couple affects the dissolution of high valence manganese oxide.

The effect of Fe³⁺ ions on the ocean manganese nodule reductive leaching in imitated sulphuric acid solutions was investigated.

Electrochemical Behavior of Ocean Polymetallic Nodules and Low-Grade Nickel Sulfide Ore in Acidithiobacillus Ferrooxidans-Coupled Bio-Leaching

Efficient extraction of Ni, Co, Cu, and Mn from low-grade and refractory ores is a common technical challenge. The present study proposes an Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans-coupled leaching of Ni, Cu, Co, and Mn from oceanic polymetallic nodules and low-grade nickel sulfide ore, and focuses on the electrochemical behavior of the ores in simulated bio-leaching solutions. In the dissolution of polymetallic nodules, A. ferrooxidans facilitates the diffusion of H+ and accelerates electron transfer, producing a decrease in charge transfer resistance and promoting the Mn(IV)-preceding reaction. The use of A. ferrooxidans is beneficial for lower impedance of sulfur-nickel ore, faster diffusion rate of product layer, and better transformation of the Fe3+/Fe2+ couple and S0/S2− couple. A. ferrooxidans increases the potential difference between the nodule cathode and sulfide anode, and increases electron liberation from the sulfide ore. This motivates a significant increase in the average extraction rates of Ni, Co, Cu, and Mn in the bacterial solution. The bio-leaching efficiencies of Ni, Co, Cu, and Mn were as high as 95.4%, 97.8%, 92.2% and 97.3%, respectively, representing improvements of 17.1%, 11.5%, 14.3% and 12.9% relative to that of the germ- and Fe(III)-free acidic 9 K basic system.