The characterization of nickel metal pore structures and the measurement of intrinsic reaction rate during the reduction of nickel oxide in H2–N2 and H2–H2O atmospheres

An alternative experimental technique for the investigation of the reduction of dense synthetic NiO in H2–N2 and H2–H2O gas mixtures at high temperature has been developed. This technique enables the nickel product pore structures to be accurately characterized and the intrinsic reaction rates to be measured. A number of distinctly different nickel product microstructures, originating at the Ni–NiO interface were observed. The formation of these microstructures was found to be a function of temperature, gas composition and reaction time.