Effect of carbon species on the reduction and melting behavior of boron-bearing iron concentrate/carbon composite pellets

Iron nugget and boron-rich slag can be obtained in a short time through high-temperature reduction of boronbearing iron concentrate by carbonaceous material, both of which are agglomerated together as a carbon composite pellet. This is a novel flow sheet for the comprehensive utilization of boron-bearing iron concentrate to produce a new kind of man-made boron ore. The effect of reducing agent species (i.e., carbon species) on the reduction and melting process of the composite pellet was investigated at a laboratory scale in the present work. The results show that, the reduction rate of the composite pellet increases from bituminite, anthracite, to coke at temperatures ranging from 950 to 1300℃. Reduction temperature has an important effect on the microstructure of reduced pellets. Carbon species also affects the behavior of reduced metallic iron particles. The anthracite-bearing composite pellet melts faster than the bituminitebearing composite pellet, and the coke-bearing composite pellet cannot melt due to the high fusion point of coke ash. With anthracite as the reducing agent, the recovery rates of iron and boron are 96.5% and 95.7%, respectively. This work can help us get a further understanding of the new process mechanism.     

Carbothermic reduction characteristics of ludwigite and boron-iron magnetic separation

Ludwigite is a kind of complex iron ore containing boron, iron, and magnesium, and it is the most promising boron resource in China. Selective reduction of iron oxide is the key step for the comprehensive utilization of ludwigite. In the present work, the reduction mechanism of ludwigite was investigated. The thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry analysis and isothermal reduction of ludwigite/coal composite pellet were performed. Ludwigite yielded a lower reduction starting temperature and a higher final reduction degree compared with the traditional iron concentrates. Higher specific surface area and more fine cracks might be the main reasons for the better reducibility of ludwigite. Reducing temperature highly affected the reaction fraction and microstructure of the reduced pellets, which are closely related to the separation degree of boron and iron. Increasing reducing temperature benefited the boron and iron magnetic separation. Optimum magnetic separation results could be obtained when the pellet was reduced at 1300℃. The separated boron-rich non-magnetic concentrate presented poor crystalline structure, and its extraction efficiency for boron reached 64.3%. The obtained experimental results can provide reference for the determination of the comprehensive utilization flow sheet of ludwigite.     

Phase transformation and reduction kinetics during the hydrogen reduction of ilmenite concentrate

The reduction of ilmenite concentrate by hydrogen gas was investigated in the temperature range of 500 to 1200℃. The microstructure and phase transition of the reduction products were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and optical microscopy (OM). It was found that the weight loss and iron metallization rate increased with the increase of reduction temperature and reaction time. The iron metallization rate could reach 87.5% when the sample was reduced at 1150℃ for 80 min. The final phase constituents mainly consist of Fe, M₃O₅ solid solution phase (M=Mg, Ti, and Fe), and few titanium oxide. Microstructure analysis shows that the surfaces of the reduction products have many holes and cracks and the reactions take place from the exterior of the grain to its interior. The kinetics of reduction indicates that the rate-controlling step is diffusion process control with the activation energy of 89 kJ·mol-1.     

Reduction-melting behaviors of boron-bearing iron concentrate/carbon composite pellets with addition of CaO

Although the total amount of boron resources in China is high, the grades of these resources are low. The authors have already proposed a new comprehensive utilization process of boron-bearing iron concentrate based on the iron nugget process. The present work de-scribes a further optimization of the conditions used in the previous study. The effects of CaO on the reduction–melting behavior and proper-ties of the boron-rich slag are presented. CaO improved the reduction of boron-bearing iron concentrate/carbon composite pellets when its content was less than 1wt%. Melting separation of the composite pellets became difficult with the CaO content increased. The sulfur content of the iron nugget gradually decreased from 0.16wt%to 0.046wt%as the CaO content of the pellets increased from 1wt%to 5wt%. CaO negatively affected the iron yield and boron extraction efficiency of the boron-rich slag. The mineral phase evolution of the boron-rich slag during the reduction–melting separation of the composite pellets with added CaO was also deduced.     

Reduction–melting behaviors of boron-bearing iron concentrate/carbon composite pellets with addition of CaO

Although the total amount of boron resources in China is high, the grades of these resources are low. The authors have already proposed a new comprehensive utilization process of boron-bearing iron concentrate based on the iron nugget process. The present work describes a further optimization of the conditions used in the previous study. The effects of CaO on the reduction–melting behavior and properties of the boron-rich slag are presented. CaO improved the reduction of boron-bearing iron concentrate/carbon composite pellets when its content was less than 1wt%. Melting separation of the composite pellets became difficult with the CaO content increased. The sulfur content of the iron nugget gradually decreased from 0.16wt% to 0.046wt% as the CaO content of the pellets increased from 1wt% to 5wt%. CaO negatively affected the iron yield and boron extraction efficiency of the boron-rich slag. The mineral phase evolution of the boron-rich slag during the reduction–melting separation of the composite pellets with added CaO was also deduced.     

Effect of reductant type on the embedding direct reduction of beach titanomagnetite concentrate

Iron and titanium were recovered from beach titanomagnetite(TTM) concentrate by embedding direct reduction and magnetic separation. The reduction products and the effects of the reductant type and reduction temperature on the reduction behavior were investigated. The results showed that the reduction of TTM concentrate was strongly related to the gasification reactivity of the reductant. Bitumite presented a better product index than wheat-straw biochar and coke, mainly because the gasification reactivity of bitumite was better than that of the other reductants. In addition, high temperatures were not beneficial to embedding direct reduction because of the emergence of a molten phase and iron-joined crystals, which in turn reduced the diffusion rate of the reducing gas and impeded the reduction reaction in the central area of the roasted briquette. The use of bitumite as the reductant at a C/Fe molar ratio of 1.4 and a reduction temperature of 1200°C for 120 min resulted in direct-reduction iron powder assaying 90.28 wt% TFe and 0.91 wt% TiO_2 with an iron recovery of 91.83% and titanium concentrate assaying 46.01 wt% TiO_2 with a TiO_2 recovery of 91.19%. Titanium existed mainly in the form of anosovite and ilmenite in the titanium concentrate.     

Novel approaches to produce Al2O3– TiC/TiCN– Fecomposite powders directly from ilmenite

Al2O3 –TiC/TiCN–Fe composite powders were successfully prepared directly from ilmenite at 1300–1400℃.The effects of Al/C ratio,sintering atmosphere,and reaction temperature and time on the reaction products were investigated.Results showed that the nitrogen atmosphere was bene cial to the reduction of ilmenite and the formation of Al2O3 –TiC/TiCN–Fe composite powders.When the reaction temperature was between 600 and 1100℃,the intermediate products,TiO2,Ti3O5 and Ti4O7 were found,which changed to TiC or TiCN at higher temperature.Al/C ratio was found to affect the reaction process and synthesis products.When Al addition was 0.5 mol,the Al2O3 phase did not appear.The content of carbon in TiCN rose when the reaction temperature was increased.     

Two-stage reduction for the preparation of ferronickel alloy from nickel laterite ore with low Co and high MgO contents

The preparation of ferronickel alloy from the nickel laterite ore with low Co and high MgO contents was studied by using a pre-reduction-smelting method. The effects of reduction time, calcination temperature, quantity of reductant and calcium oxide (CaO), and pellet diameter on the reduction ratio of Fe and on the pellet strength were investigated. The results show that, for a roasting temperature >800℃, a roasting time >30 min, 1.5wt% added anthracite coal, 5wt% added CaO, and a pellet size of~10 mm, the reduction ratio of Fe exceeds 70% and the compressive strength of the pellets exceeds 10 kg per pellet. Reduction smelting experiments were performed by varying the smelting time, temperature, quantity of reductant and CaO, and reduction ratio of Fe in the pellets. Optimal conditions for the reduction smelting process are as follows:smelting time, 30-45 min; smelting temperature, 1550℃; quantity of reductant, 4wt%-5wt%; and quantity of CaO, 5wt%; leading to an Fe reduction ratio of 75% in the pellets. In addition, the mineral composition of the raw ore and that during the reduction process were investigated by process mineralogy.     

Kinetics of Evaporation of Zn and Pb from Carbon-bearing Pellets Made of Dust Containing Zn-Pb-Fe Oxides

The influence of reduction temperature, size of coal powder and the carbon content on the evaporation rates of Zn and Pb in pellets made of ZnO-PbO-FeO bearing dust has been investigated between 1100-1300℃. The evaporation rate of Zn and Pb obtained from the experiments has been analyzed with kinetic models. The results show that the control step for evaporation of Zn is reduction reaction of ZnO by CO at the interface,and that the evaporation rate of Pb is controlled by the volatilization of reduction products, i.e. liquid lead. The overall apparent activation energies of Zn and Pb evaporation from the pellet are 79.42kJ/mol and 88.74kJ/mol respectively.     

Migration behaviors and kinetics of phosphorus during coal-based reduction of high-phosphorus oolitic iron ore

To understand the migration mechanisms of phosphorus (P) during coal-based reduction, a high-phosphorus oolitic iron ore was reduced by coal under various experimental conditions. The migration characteristics and kinetics of P were investigated by a field-emission electron probe microanalyzer (FE-EPMA) and using the basic principle of solid phase mass transfer, respectively. Experimental results showed that the P transferred from the slag to the metallic phase during reduction, and the migration process could be divided into three stages:phosphorus diffusing from the slag to the metallic interface, the formation of Fe-P compounds at the slag-metal interface and P diffusing from the slag-metal interface to the metallic interior. The reduction time and temperature significantly influenced the phosphorus content of the metallic and slag phases. The P content of the metallic phase increased with increasing reduction time and temperature, while that of the slag phase gradually decreased. The P diffusion constant and activation energy were determined and a migration kinetics model of P in coal-based reduction was proposed. P diffusion in the metallic phase was the controlling step of the P migration.     

硼铁精矿的碳热还原动力学

为了揭示硼铁精矿的碳热还原机理,以高纯石墨为还原剂,进行硼铁精矿含碳球团等温还原实验,并采用积分法进行动力学分析.还原温度分别设定为1000、1050、1100、1150、1200、1250和1300益,配碳量即C/O摩尔比=1.0.当还原度为0.1<α<0.8时,温度对活化能和速率控制环节有重要影响：还原温度≤1100益时,平均活化能为202.6 kJ·mol-1,还原反应的速率控制环节为碳的气化反应;还原温度>1100益时,平均活化能为116.7 kJ·mol-1,为碳气化反应和FeO还原反应共同控制.当还原度α≥0.8时(还原温度>1100益),可能的速率控制环节为碳原子在金属铁中的扩散.碳气化反应是含碳球团还原过程中主要速率控制环节,原因在于硼铁精矿中硼元素对碳气化反应具有较强烈的化学抑制作用.     

钒钛磁铁精矿分流制粒烧结中碱度的影响

分流制粒烧结是一种新的烧结工艺,即将铁精矿分别制成高碱度物料和酸性球,再混入燃料和返矿进行烧结的方法.针对碱度进行了实验室研究,以确定新的工艺参数.结果表明:碱度较低时,烧结矿黏结相以硅酸二钙和玻璃质为主,烧结矿质量较好;随着碱度升高,钙钛矿含量增加,对烧结矿冶金性能破坏性很大.TiO2完全生成钙钛矿后,碱度达到2.02时,铁酸钙含量增加很多,烧结矿液相遮盖了球团矿,烧结矿产量提高,冶金性能得到改善.     

New pyrometallurgical process of EAF dust treatment with CaO addition

The non-carbothermic zinc pyrometallurgical processing of electric arc furnace (EAF) dust was investigated on a laboratory scale. The main objective of this process was to convert highly stable zinc ferrite (ZnFe₂O₄), which accounts for more than half of total zinc in the EAF dust, into ZnO and Ca₂Fe₂O₅ by CaO addition. The EAF dust was mixed with CaO powder in various ratios, pressed into pellets, and heated in a muffle furnace in air at temperatures ranging from 700 to 1100℃ for a predetermined holding time. All ZnFe₂O₄ was transformed into ZnO and Ca₂Fe₂O₅ at a minimum temperature of 900℃ within 1 h when sufficient CaO to achieve a Ca/Fe molar ratio of 1.1 was added. However, at higher temperatures, excess CaO beyond the stoichiometric ratio was required because it was consumed by reactions leading to the formation of compounds other than ZnFe₂O₄. The evaporation of halides and heavy metals in the EAF dust was also studied. These components could be preferentially volatilized into the gas phase at 1100℃ when CaO was added.     

不同还原度铁氧化物球团在微波场中的升温及还原行为

为深入了解氧化球团在微波竖炉中的升温以及煤基直接还原行为,实验采用铁精矿氧化球团作为基础原料,在气体还原剂条件下进行预还原,通过控制还原时间得到不同还原度铁氧化物球团,并从不同还原度铁氧化物球团的结构以及性能出发,研究它们在微波场中的升温性能及其还原变化.电磁性能测试结果表明,球团中的铁及其氧化物在微波场中的升温速度从快到慢依次为:Fe3O4,Fe2O3,Fe,FeO.微波加热还原结果分析及矿相结构观察显示,Fe2O3的深还原时间较长,物相多重转变,造成过程温度和还原气氛跟不上氧化物的还原反应速度;Fe3O4阶段升温速度快,结构松散,有助于进一步的还原,但进入浮士体(FeO的固溶体)阶段后孔隙率降低,升温速度骤降,造成还原的困难;在还原度达到66.90％时,表层以金属铁相为主,孔洞发达,吸波性能强,在气化反应有效进行的条件下,球团将会实现快速还原.     

Influence of microstructure on the corrosion resistance of Fe–44Ni thin films

An Fe–44Ni nanocrystalline (NC) alloy thin film was prepared through electrodeposition. The relation between the microstructure and corrosion behavior of the NC film was investigated using electrochemical methods and chemical analysis approaches. The results show that the NC film is composed of a face-centered cubic phase (γ-(Fe,Ni)) and a body-centered cubic phase (α-(Fe,Ni)) when it is annealed at temperatures less than 400℃. The corrosion resistance increases with the increase in grain size, and the corresponding corrosion process is controlled by oxygen reduction. The NC films annealed at 500℃ and 600℃ do not exhibit the same pattern, although their grain sizes are considerably large. This result is attributed to the existence of an anodic phase, Fe_0.947Ni_0.054, in these films. Under this condition, the related corrosion process is synthetically controlled by anodic dissolution and depolarization.     

钢铁厂尘泥渣综合利用的研究

本论文对钢铁厂四种含铁尘泥渣的物理化学特性,以及用此四种物料制造出的球团矿的直接还原进行了研究。