Characterization of iron ore pellets with dextrin added organic binders under different time and temperature conditions

Abstract

In the present work, Dextrin is used as a binder for iron ore pelletization, as it’s free from Silica and Alumina. Green pellets were prepared by mixing of iron ore particles (-75 μm) with varying binder percentage (1 wt. % bentonite, 0.5 and 1 wt. % of dextrin) separately. The green pellets were first dried in air for 24 h and then in an electric oven at 383 K for 4 h. The dried pellets were fired at varying temperatures (1173, 1273, 1373, and 1473 K) and indurated for 1 and 2 h. The samples were characterized for physical (pellet size) and mechanical (compressive strengths, porosity and hardness) properties. Good quality pellets were prepared with organic binder, and which increases the compressive strength of dry and fired pellets. Strength results are matching with the bentonite binder pellets and it is well above the industrially acceptable limit (250 kg/pellet). Porosity of the fired pellets decreases with increasing temperature and induration time. The hardness of the pellet varies from surface to core of the pellet. Moreover, the influence of wear mechanism (based on collisions) on pellets and its characteristics of generated particle size distribution (PSD) have been investigated. It was noticed that the material loss during wear test decreases with increasing strength of the pellet. From PSD analysis, the coarse particles were revealed that the collisions are dominating during wear.