Microwave-assisted reduction roasting-magnetic separation studies of two mineralogically different low-grade iron ores

摘要

The microwave-assisted reduction behaviours of two low-grade iron ores having a similar Fe content of 49wt%but distinctly different mineralogical and liberation characteristics were studied.Their performances in terms of the iron grade and recovery as obtained from statistically designed microwave(MW)roasting followed by low-intensity magnetic separation(LIMS)experiments were compared.At respective optimum conditions,the titano-magnetite ore(O1)could yield an iron concentrate of 62.57%Fe grade and 60.01%Fe recovery,while the goethitic ore(O2)could be upgraded to a concentrate of 64.4%Fe grade and 33.3%Fe recovery.Compared with the goethitic ore,the titanomagnetite ore responded better to MW heating.The characterization studies of the feed and roasted products obtained at different power and time conditions using X-ray diffraction,optical microscopy,vibrating-sample magnetometry,and electron-probe microanalysis explain the sequential reduction in the iron oxide phases.Finally,taking advantage of the MW absorbing character of the titano-magnetite ore,a blend of the same with the goethite-rich ore at a weight ratio of 60:40(O2:O1)was subjected to MW roasting that resulted in a concentrate of 61.57%Fe grade with a Fe recovery of 64.47%.