Introduction of Pisolitic Goethite Ore into a Chinese Ore Blend.

Abstract

Research has been carried out to examine the effects of introducing an Australian goethitic ore (i.e. Yandi ore) into a Chinese sintering ore blend. Bench-scale studies show that Yandi ore is easier to be assimilated than hematite ore, which agrees with that observed in blending with hematite ores. Substitution of Yandi ore for an Australian hematite in the blends does not lead to significant changes in sinter mineralogy. Effects of adding Yandi ore on sintering performance was studied by conducting pot tests under simulated conditions of this Chinese sinter plant. It has been found that when an Australian hematite ore is replaced with Yandi at 10-40 % in blends, at slightly increased mix moisture, productivity maintains or increases slightly, coke rate maintains and sinter strength shows a marginal increase with increasing Yandi ore At Yandi ore levels of 10-40 % the productivity is about 1.47-1.51 t/m 2 h at mix moistures of 7.2-7.3%, ISO tumble index of the sinters is around 69 %, coke rate is about 50 kg/t. The low coke is probably due to the easy-melting property of Yandi ore, possible oxidation of the magnetite concentrates, etc. JIS reducibility of the sinters increases from 60 % to 68% when the goethite ore level varies from 10 % to 40% in the blends. This work evidences that Yandi ore can be used successfully to replace hematite ores in Chinese type blends.