Effect of microwave heating on magnetic separation: Kesikkpr magnetite deposits in Ankara, Central Turkey

Abstract

In this study, the effect of microwave heating on magnetic separation of the iron ore of magnetite from Kesikkopru (Bala-Ankara, Central Turkey) was investigated. The investigation was based on understanding the enrichment factor differences of magnetic separation and microwave+magnetic separation methods. Only five fractions of magnetite ore display high level of enrichment by using magnetic separation. The optimum results (98.11% enrichment, 63.14% grade for iron) were captured on 150 x 106 µm grain sizes and 0.8 Tesla magnetic field intensity. On the other hand, optimum results (96.99% enrichment, 67.81% grade for iron, 180 watt energy consumption) were hold on three different grain size of ore by using microwave+magnetic separation method. On this method, to get high enrichments, the ore has to be pre-treated for 5 to 7 min on microwave heating. It has been realized that the grade of iron were increased by 3 to 5% for microwave+magnetic when compared to sole magnetic separation. Key words: Magnetite, microwave heating, magnetic separation, Kesikkopru, Turkey.