Improving the sintering performance of blends containing Canadian specularite concentrate by modifying the binding medium

Canadian specularite concentrate（CSC） possesses high total iron grade and low impurity content. However, due to the poor granulating performance and weak reactivity of CSC at high temperature, the proportion of CSC used in sintering blends is restricted. In this research, the effects of fine limonite, slake lime, and bentonite particles on the granulation performance of blends containing a high ratio of CSC were studied through granulation test. Based on the test results, the effects of modification of the binding medium on the sintering performance of blends containing a high ratio of CSC were revealed by the sintering pot test. Both the granulation property and sintering performance of blends with a high proportion of CSC were improved by modifying the binding medium.

Significant influence of self-possessed moisture of limonitic nickel laterite on sintering performance and its action mechanism

In consideration of the abundant moisture of limonitic nickel laterite mined,it is essential to determine whether the selfpossessed moisture of limonitic nickel laterite after pre-dried is appropriate for sintering.Thus,based on the characterization of limonitic nickel laterite,the influence of its self-possessed moisture on sintering performance was expounded by sinter pot tests and the relevant mechanism was revealed by the systematical analyses of the granulation properties of sinter mixture,thermodynamic conditions during sintering and mineralogy of product sinter.The results indicate that the selfpossessed moisture of limonitic nickel laterite indeed has significant infuence on its sintering performance.At the optimum self-possessed moisture of 21 mass%,sinter indices are relatively better with tumble index,productivity and solid fuel rate of 48.87%,1.04 t m^(-2) h^(-1)and 136.52 kg t^(-1),respectively,due to the superior granulation properties of sinter mixture and thermodynamic conditions during sintering,relatively large amount of silico-ferrite of calcium and alumina and tighter sinter microstructure.However,sintering performance of limonitic nickel laterite is still much poorer than that of ordinary iron ores.It is feasible to strengthen limonitic nickel laterite sintering by inhibiting the over-fast sintering speed and improving the thermodynamic conditions during sintering.

Super-high bed sintering for iron ores:problems ascertainment

Super-high bed sintering process is an important development direction of iron ore sintering for its lower emission and higher yield.However,there is a lack of deep understanding of the uneven quality of super-high bed sintering products,and the deterioration of reduction disintegration performance,the thickening of hearth layer and the reduction in energy-saving effect are perplexing enterprises and researchers.To ascertain the problems of super-high bed sintering,ten sintering machines with the areas of 265,280,360,550 and 660 m^(2)and bed depth above 900 mm were sampled and analyzed.The results showed that problems were mainly shown in the unevenness of chemical composition,macrostructure,mechanical strength and metallurgical performance.The chemical composition exhibits severe segregation in both horizontal and vertical directions,with basicity segregation reaching as high as 0.81.The uneven macrostructure of sinter is reflected in a 10%difference in porosity and mechanical strength increase in 16%–19%along the vertical direction.The reducibility and reduction disintegration performance gradually deteriorate along the bed depth,with a difference of 10.5%in reducibility and 7.3%in RDI−0.5 mm(reduction disintegration index of sinter with size smaller than 0.5 mm).

Effect of Various Alumina Powders on Properties of Castables

To satisfy the requirements of alumina castables in specific environment and enhance their properties,alumina castables were prepared using tabular alumina,various alumina powders(07RAL,15RA,22RABL,40CA,99-20um,and 99-325mesh),and calcium aluminate cement as main raw materials,and heat treating at 110,1000,1600℃,respectively.Their flowability and physical properties were tested,and the morphology was researched.The results show that compared with calcined alumina and tabular alumina powders,reactive alumina has higher specific surface area and better filling performance leading to lower water demand and higher viscosity,and the castables prepared with reactive alumina have higher CCS and CMOR after heat treating at 110,1000 and 1600℃as well as lower PLC than those with calcined alumina and tabular alumina powders.

Achieving efficient utilization of limonitic nickel laterite and CO_(2) emission reduction through multi-force field sintering process

Strengthening limonitic nickel laterite sintering and reducing CO_(2) emission were performed by the application of multiforce fields including external thermodynamic and pressure fields.Sinter pot tests of limonitic nickel laterite were carried out,and the relevant industrial production was briefed.The chemistry and mineralogy of product sinter and the thermodynamic and kinetic conditions during sintering were analyzed to reveal the relevant mechanism.The results indicate that sintering performance of limonitic nickel laterite in the new sintering process with multi-force fields is significantly improved with tumble index and productivity increased by 24.11%and 18.56%,respectively,and solid fuel rate reduced by 23.21%,compared with those in traditional sintering process.In this case,greenhouse and pollutant gas emissions are greatly reduced,and metallurgical performances of product sinter are excellent.The industrial production has been successfully conducted,indicating a bright application prospect.Mechanism analysis shows that the great improvement of thermodynamic and kinetic conditions during sintering and the densification of loose sinter can be achieved via the application of multi-force fields.Sinter microstructure is transformed from large thin-wall pores to small thin-wall pores or medium thick-wall pores with the dramatic reduction of sinter porosity and more formation of silico-ferrite of calcium and alumina(SFCA).Meanwhile,the homogenization of mineral compositions is achieved,and much denser interlocking texture between hercynite and SFCA is formed.The application of multi-force fields contributes to the substantial improvement of sintering performance of limonitic nickel laterite and CO_(2) emission reduction.