The source of nickel

Nickel is the 23rd element with the highest content in the Earth's crust. It is somewhat rich, but scattered, accounting for 1% of igneous rocks. Nickel metal exists in meteorites (like some other elements). It is believed that molten nickel and iron together form the central sphere that makes up the core of the Earth. It can be found in most meteorites, especially in iron alloyed meteorites or siderite. Its average concentration in seawater is 0.56 μ G/mL. Nickel is one of the main components of the Earth's core, accounting for approximately 7%. There are various types of nickel ores, one of which is the main ore of nickel, called bentonite (NiS? 2FeS) Chemicalbook, that is, iron/nickel sulfide. Another type is a mineral called nicotine ore (NiAs), which was discovered in 1751 and was first discovered in mining areas in Sweden. So far, the largest nickel mining area is located in Ontario, Canada, where it is believed to have been recovered from a massive meteorite that crashed into Earth. Due to the fact that both Earth and meteorites were formed in the early stages of the solar system, a large amount of nickel deposition is one of the reasons for the core theory of molten nickel and iron on Earth. Some nickel mines have also been discovered in Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Scandinavia. Nickel traces exist in soil, coal, plants, and animals.

The application of nickel

Nickel plating is used for various alloys, such as new silver, Chinese silver, and German silver; Used for coins, electronic versions, batteries; Magnets, lightning rod tips, electrical contacts and electrodes, spark plugs, mechanical parts; A catalyst used for hydrogenation of oil and other organic substances. Please also refer to Ruan Nei Nickel. Manufacturing Monel metal, stainless steel Chemicalbook, heat-resistant steel, heat-resistant and corrosion-resistant alloys, nickel chromium resistance wires; Used in alloys for electronic and space applications. Nickel is used in various alloys, such as German silver, Monel alloy, and nickel chromium alloy; Used for coins; Coins, metals, etc. In the battery; In the spark plug; And as a hydrogenation catalyst.

Preparation of nickel

Nickel is obtained by processing sulfide and laterite ore concentrates using pyrometallurgical and hydrometallurgical processes. The nickel matte powder obtained through calcination and smelting will be further cleaned by electrical, steam, and wet metallurgical refining methods. Bake a portion of the rough surface to obtain commercially available nickel oxide agglomerates. 99.9% pure nickel can be obtained through electrolytic refining process. The purest nickel (99.97%) is obtained through gas-phase metallurgy using Chemicalbook. In this process, also known as the Mond method, a mixture of nickel and copper sulfide is transformed into an oxide, which is then reduced by heating with water vapor at 350-400 ° C. The obtained nickel active form was treated with carbon monoxide to obtain volatile carbonyl nickel [Ni (CO) 4]. The latter reaction is reversible. Heating produces pure nickel and carbon monoxide.