Some basic properties of granules from ore blends consisting of ultrafine magnetite and hematite ores

Some basic properties of granules,including the granule size distribution,packed-bed permeability,and chemical composition of the adhering layer,were investigated in this study for four iron ore blends consisting of 5wt%,25wt%,and 45wt%ultrafine magnetite and 25wt%ultrafine hematite concentrates.The effects of varying the sinter basicity(CaO/SiO2 mass ratio=1.4 to 2.2)and adding ultrafine concentrates on the variation of the adhering-layer composition and granule microstructure were studied.Moreover,the effect of adhering-layer compositional changes on sintering reactions was discussed in combination with pot sintering results of ore blends.Increasing sinter basicity led to an increase in the basicities of both the adhering layer and the fine part of the sinter mix,which were higher than the overall sinter basicity.When the sinter chemistry was fixed and fine Si-bearing materials(e.g.,quartz sand)were used,increasing the amount of ultrafine ores in the ore blends tended to reduce the adhering-layer basicity and increase the SiO2 content in both the adhering layer and the fine part of the sinter mix,which will induce the formation of low-strength bonding phases and the deterioration of sinter strength.The adhering-layer composition in granules can be estimated in advance from the compositions of the-1 mm fractions of the raw materials.

A novel process for Fe recovery and Zn, Pb removal from a low-grade pyrite cinder with high Zn and Pb contents

Comprehensive utilization of pyrite cinders is increasingly important because of their huge annual outputs and potential valuable metals recovery to cope with the gradual depletion of high-grade mineral resources. In this work, a new process, i.e., a high-temperature chlorination–magnetizing roasting–magnetic separation process, was proposed for recovering Fe and removing Zn, Pb from a low-grade pyrite cinder containing 49.90 wt% Fe, 1.23 wt% Zn, and 0.29 wt% Pb. Various parameters, including the chlorinating conditions(dosage of Ca Cl2, temperature, and time) and the magnetization roasting conditions(amount of coal, temperature, and time) were investigated. The results indicate that the proposed process is effective for Fe recovery and Zn, Pb removal from the pyrite cinder. Through this process, 97.06% Zn, 96.82% Pb, and approximately 90% S can be removed, and 89.74% Fe is recovered as magnetite into the final product under optimal conditions. A purified magnetite concentrate containing 63.07 wt% Fe, 0.16 wt% P, 0.26 wt% S, and trace amounts of nonferrous metals(0.005 wt% Cu, 0.013 wt% Pb, and 0.051 wt% Zn) was obtained. The concentrate can be potentially used as a high-quality feed material for producing oxidized pellets by blending with other high-grade iron ore concentrates.

Effect of alumina occurrence form on metallurgical properties of hematite and magnetite pellets

The effect of alumina occurrence form on the metallurgical properties of both hematite and magnetite pellets was investigated at the same Al_(2)O level of 2 wt.%,including reduction index(RI),low-temperature reduction disintegration index(RDI),reduction swelling index(RSI),and high-temperature softening-dripping performance.The mineralogy of fired pellets was also studied to reveal the influence of alumina occurrence form on the phase composition and microstructure.From the results,the alumina occurrence form presents tremendous impacts on the metallurgical perfor-mance of both magnetite and hematite pellets.Addition of all alumina occurrence forms contributes to inferior reducibility of pellets,especially in the case of gibbsite for magnetite pellets with a RI of 58.4%and kaolinite for hematite pellets with a RI of 56.8%.However,addition of all alumina occurrence forms improves the RDI of magnetite pellets,while there is no significant difference among various alumina occurrence forms.In contrast,alumina occurrence forms have little influence on the RDI of hematite pellets.The presence of free alumina,gibbsite,and kaolinite tends to improve the RSI of hematite and magnetite pellets,whereas hercynite gives the opposite trend with a RSI of 25.6%.For softening-dripping performance of magnetite pellets,all alumina occurrence forms contribute to narrower softening-melting interval.Meanwhile,alumina,gibbsite,and kaolinite give narrower softening-dripping interval,at 229,217,and 88℃,respectively,whereas addition of hercynite results in the largest melting range at 276℃ due to its high melting point.Regarding hematite pellets,free alumina,gibbsite,and hercynite tend to enlarge melting range,whereas kaolinite contributes to lower dripping temperature of 1148℃ and narrow softening-dripping interval of 88℃ due to the formation of a greater amount of slag phase at high temperatures.

Effective utilization of dolomitic lead-zinc waste rock by replacing dolomite as flux in iron ore sintering process

With increasingly stringent environmental protection policies,cost-effective and value-added treatment of massive lead-zinc waste rock(LZWR)generated from the preconcentration process has attracted substantial attention.A type of dolomitic LZWR with 18 wt.%MgO,27 wt.%CaO,0.29 wt.%Zn and 1.43 wt.%S was used as a replacement flux in the iron ore sintering process.Traditional sinter pot tests were carried out based on an industrial ore blend.The results show that replacing 0%-60%of dolomite with LZWR does not adversely affect the sintering productivity,fuel consumption rate,and the quality of the sinter products,while the Zn and S elements contained in LZWR can be effectively removed with the residual Zn and S contents of the resultant sinter products being less than 0.02 and 0.055 wt.%,respectively.However,substituting LZWR for dolomite as a flux inevitably increases the SO_(2) concentration in the sintering flue gas due to its high sulfur content.Considering the processing capacity of the sintering flue gas desulfurization system,the replacement ratio of dolomite can reach 40%,equal to LZWR consumption of 24.3 kg per ton of sinter.The SO_(2) in sintering flue gas can be recovered to produce(NH_(4))_(2)SO_(4) or HSO_(4),while the volatilized Zn collected into the zinc-containing dust can be subsequently recycled by the rotary hearth furnace process.Therefore,it is technologically and economically feasible to use the LZWR as a replacement flux in the iron ore sintering process,providing a new way for the safe,large-scale and low-cost treatment of LZWR.

Deformation and phase transformation mechanisms of 40Cr10Si2Mo steel during hot compression

Thermo-mechanical experiments on martensitic heat-resistant 40Cr10Si2Mo steel were conducted using a Gleeble simulator in temperature and strain rate ranges of 1073–1373 K and 0.1–20 s^(-1),respectively.Processing maps were developed and correlated with deformed microstructures based on the dynamic material model theory.The analysis of the maps revealed that both applied temperature and strain rate had significant effects on the power dissipation efficiency and flow instability of the steel alloy.Electron backscatter diffraction analysis was also implemented to study the effect of deformation conditions on martensitic morphology.The results showed that higher temperatures and strain rates led to a fine martensitic packet,and the martensite lath increased in width at high temperatures.Two deformation domains,which exhibit different recrystallization processes,were recognized.The discontinuous dynamic recrystallization(DRX)mechanism in the low strain rate domain was characterized by the migration and growth of high-angle grains during straining.In contrast,in the high strain rate domain,the development of new grain boundaries is primarily associated with the deformation microbands in the low-temperature deformation domain.As the temperature increased,the high dislocation density accelerated the migration of the grain boundaries.Furthermore,the DRX mechanism changed from continuous DRX to post-DRX.This change in the DRX mechanism type was attributed to the time during which the sample remained high temperature after deformation.

Oxidation and Induration Characteristics of Pellets Made from Western Australian Ultrafine Magnetite Concentrates and Its Utilization Strategy

Western Australian magnetite concentrates normally have ultrafine granularity and much higher specific surface areas than Chinese magnetite concentrates owing to the significant pre-grinding and beneficiation for saleable iron grade. Such characteristics will inevitably affect the subsequent pelletization process. However, very few investi- gations have been done before. Thus, the oxidation and induration characteristics of pellet made from a Western Aus- tralian ultrafine magnetite concentrate were revealed by conducting routine preheating-roasting tests in an electric tube furnace and investigating the microstructure of fired pellets under an optical microscope in comparison with that of pellets made from typical Chinese magnetite concentrate. The liquidus regions of CaO-SiO2-Fe2O3 and CaO-SiO2- Al2O3 ternary systems in air at various temperatures were calculated by FactSage software to explain the importance of liquid phase in the consolidation of fired pellets. The results show that pellet made from ultrafine magnetite con- centrate possesses better oxidability and preheating performance than that made from Chinese magnetite concentrate. However, it has inferior roasting performance, usually requiring conditions of roasting at 1280℃ for at least 30 rain to acquire sufficiently high compressive strength, which are attributed to higher temperature sensitivity caused by its smaller particle size and less formation of liquid phase because of low impurities like CaO and Al2O3 in raw materials. Correspondingly, its roasting performanee can be significantly improved by blending with Chinese magnetite concen- trates or increasing the pellet basicity （WCaO/WSiO2）. By comprehensive evaluation, blending with Chinese iron ore concentrates is an appropriate way to utilize Western Australia ultrafine magnetite concentrates.

Pyrometallurgical recycling of stainless steel pickling sludge: a review

Stainless steel pickling sludge (SSPS), generated from the lime neutralization process of spent pickling liquor, is classified as a hazardous waste consisting of abundant metals like Fe, Cr and Ni, and other elements like F, S and Na, etc. Rather than a common disposal in landfill, recovering these metals and other valuable components from SSPS can not only create economic benefits, but also eliminate its adverse impacts on human health and the environment. A review of the formation mechanism and basic properties of SSPS was made, and the technical features, advantages and limitations of a series of pyrometallurgical treatment processes were summarized. Based on these, the main challenges for recycling of SSPS through the existing techniques are demonstrated. The traditional pelletizing/sintering-blast furnace process can only be used as a partial solution. Direct use of SSPS as flux in an argon-oxygen decarburization converter or electric arc furnace is a promising way, but low S sludges are preferred. The STAR process shows excellent recovery for metals, but it also has a low tolerance to the S and F contents in SSPS. And theINMETCO process is highly flexible in treatment of various wastes, whereas it exhibits relatively low Cr recovery and produces poor-quality pig iron. In addition, the feasibility of the rotary kiln-electric furnace, solid -state reduction of chromite and reduction-magnetic separation processes requires further studies. An urgent task at present is to develop a system for scientific classification and separate collection of SSPS in terms of chemical composition, notably S and F contents.

Comparison of sintering performance of typical specular hematite ores with distinct size distributions

The sintering performance of three typical specular hematite ores（coarse SO-A,intermediate SO-B and ultrafine SO-C）was compared in an industrial ore blend through pilot-scale sinter pot tests.The effect of particle size of specular hematite ores on their granulation and sintering performance was revealed.Compared with the coarse SO-A fine and ultrafine SO-C concentrate,the intermediate SO-B showed inferior granulation and sintering performance characterized with poorer bed permeability and productivity,lower sinter strength and higher fuel rates.A new material preparation method was hence proposed and verified at both pilot and industrial scales.The proposed method by mixing SO-B with a high amount of goethitetype iron ore fines was found to be an effective way in improving the granulation and assimilative characteristics of ore blend comprising 31%intermediate SO-B,leading to improved sinter productivity and lowered fuel rates.The metallurgical properties and microstructure of sinters were also investigated.The sinters obtained through the proposed preparation method were generally stronger and more reducible on account of better sinter structure with more relict hematite ultimately connected with needle-like silico-ferrite of calcium and aluminum and lower porosity.

Upgrade of nickel and iron from low-grade nickel laterite by improving direct reduction-magnetic separation process

Low-grade saprolite nickel laterite,characterized by complicated minerals composition and fine-grained and complex dissemination,was commonly treated with a low recovery efficiency of Ni and Fe by conventional methods.Hence,an improved direct reduction and magnetic separation process was proposed.Meanwhile,the mechanisms on the enhanced growth of the Ni-Fe particles and the phase transformation in the nickel laterite pellets were explored.The low-nickel concentrates as a nucleating agent can obviously decrease the activation energy for growth of Ni-Fe alloy particles during the improved direct reduction process from 197.10 to 154.81 kJ/mol when the low-nickel concentrates were added from 0 to 20%.Hence,it is able to decrease nucleation barrier,induce the growth of Fe-Ni alloy particles and increase their average size.As a result,the size of Ni-Fe particles in the pellets from less than 10 lm grew to more than 20 lm,which is beneficial for the full liberation and recovery of Ni and Fe in subsequent magnetic separation process.Therefore,the preferable Ni-Fe alloy concentrates with 6.44%Ni and 82.48%Fe can be prepared with corresponding recovery rates of 96.90%and 95.92%,respectively,when adding 20%low-nickel concentrates.

Influence of Mechanical Activation on Acid Leaching Dephosphorization of High-phosphorus Iron Ore Concentrates

High pressure roll grinding（HPRG）and ball milling were compared to investigate the influence of mechanical activation on the acid leaching dephosphorization of a high-phosphorus iron ore concentrate,which was manufactured through magnetizing roasting-magnetic separation of high-phosphorus oolitic iron ores.The results indicated that when high-phosphorus iron ore concentrates containing 54.92 mass% iron and 0.76 mass% phosphorus were directly processed through acid leaching,iron ore concentrates containing 55.74mass%iron and 0.33mass%phosphorus with an iron recovery of 84.64%and dephosphorization of 63.79% were obtained.When high-phosphorus iron ore concentrates activated by ball milling were processed by acid leaching,iron ore concentrates containing56.03mass%iron and 0.21mass% phosphorus with an iron recovery of 85.65% and dephosphorization of 77.49%were obtained.Meanwhile,when high-phosphorus iron ore concentrates activated by HPRG were processed by acid leaching,iron ore concentrates containing 58.02mass%iron and 0.10mass% phosphorus were obtained,with the iron recovery reaching 88.42% and the dephosphorization rate reaching 88.99%.Mechanistic studies demonstrated that ball milling can reduce the particle size,demonstrating aprominent reunion phenomenon.In contrast,HPRG pretreatment contributes to the formation of more cracks within the particles and selective dissociation of iron and P bearing minerals,which can provide the favorable kinetic conditions to accelerate the solid-liquid reaction rate.As such,the crystal structure is destroyed and the surface energy of mineral particles is strengthened by mechanical activation,further strengthening the dephosphorization.

Provenance-specific ecophysiological responses to drought in Cunninghamia lanceolata

Aims Cunninghamia lanceolata is one of the most important coniferous species in southern China,but its high sensitivity to drought restricts its expansion.Understanding the intraspecific variation of physiological responses to drought can help us manage this plantation better.Methods We selected 3-year-old seedlings of C.lanceolata,which originated from the low precipitation(LP),middle precipitation(MP)and high precipitation(HP)habitats,respectively.Seedlings were grown under drought stress(20%of soil volumetric water content)for 40 days.The ecophysiological responses and adaptive strategies with different drought tolerance were investigated.Important Findings LP provenance possessed the best tolerance to drought stress,suggesting that considerably increased carbohydrates and nitrogen-containing compounds as osmotic protective materials,which were driven by fast carbon and nitrogen metabolisms.In addition,the highest peroxidase activity could effectively eliminate hydrogen peroxide in drought-stressed LP provenance.The MP provenance reserved a large amount of non-structural carbohydrates,which may act as a certain buffer for encountering drought stress.Importantly,timely closure of stomata to reduce needle transpiration when encountering a water deficiency would help them adapt to long-term drought.MP provenance adopted a conservative water-saving strategy.However,HP provenance regulated root growth(increased root/shoot ratio)and reduced penetration potential to help them absorb water.The different strategies among provenances may be related to the long-term domestication of the geographical environments.Therefore,our results underline the importance of provenance-specific responses to drought stress.It is highly significant to accelerate the selection of drought-resistant germplasms and to cultivate high-yield plantations in the future.