Solid-Phase Reduction of Iron from Suroyam Titanomagnetite Ore during Metallization in Rotary Kiln

Abstract

In this work the solid-phase reduction of iron from the Suroyam titanomagnetite ore was studied during metallization in a rotary kiln. The technique of preparation of the ore and reducing agent for metallization and the process of continuous processing of materials in a rotary kiln were described in detail. For metallization the temperature was chosen 1150°C, due to low melting point of apatite from one of the components. The results of the electron microscope analysis of the initial ore and samples subjected to metallization for 1-hour reduction time were presented. The reduction of iron occurred despite absence of pores and contact with a reducing agent in the grains of titanomagnetite. Iron in the grains of titanomagnetite surrounded by apatite was reduced to wustite; whereas, iron surrounded by clinopyroxene was reduced to metallic iron. This indicated the effect of composition of the gangue materials on the reduction process.