Microwave-Assisted Carbothermal Reduction of Banded Hematite Jasper Ore

Abstract

This study investigates the microwave carbothermal reduction of low-grade banded hematite jasper iron ore (Fe ~ 37%). The susceptibility of iron phases to microwave exposure and their selective absorptions help in the liberation of iron values from impurities. It was found that a small fraction of the microwave-irradiated ore-charcoal mixture was rapidly melted to produce pure ferrite balls with Fe ~ 90%. The ferrite balls were observed within 6-10 min of reduction at 8% and above charcoal at microwave power of 900 W. The iron grade deteriorated over prolonged exposure because of the formation of the fayalite phase. The optical micrograph of the ferrite ball reveals retained austenite and martensitic iron phases with an average hardness value ~ 302 HV and a saturation magnetization of ~ 190.4 emu/g.