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A Novel Process for Preparing High-Strength Pellets of Ilmenite Concentrate

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Abstract

In the present study, a novel process to prepare high-strength pellets of high-calcium, high-magnesium ilmenite concentrate was investigated. Magnetite concentrate and bentonite were selected as the additive and binder of the pellet, respectively. The effects of the magnetite concentrate content, bentonite content, and roasting temperature on the compressive strength, phase transformations, and morphology were systematically investigated. The addition of magnetite concentrate is an effective way to improve the compressive strength of high-calcium, high-magnesium ilmenite concentrate pellets. A pellet with a compressive strength of more than 1800 N can be obtained through the addition of 15% magnetite concentrate and 1.5% bentonite, followed by roasting at 1100 °C. The pseudobrookite solid solution formed during the high-temperature roasting process can form crystal bridges, which contribute to the consolidation of ilmenite concentrate pellets. The hematite formed by the oxidation of magnetite concentrate, which recrystallizes during the roasting process, strengthens pellet consolidation. A long roasting time is required to form and recrystallize a large amount of hematite to prepare high-compressive-strength pellets for low roasting temperature ilmenite concentrate pellet, while the addition of magnetite concentrate to the pellet can accelerate this process.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 52104325).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Metallurgy, Northeastern University, Shenyang, 110819, China

    Wei Lv, Gangwei Zhou, Furong Chen, Zhenggen Liu, Jue Tang & Mansheng Chu

  2. College of Materials Science and Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, China

    Mansheng Chu & Xuewei Lv

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  1. Wei Lv
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Lv, W., Zhou, G., Chen, F. et al. A Novel Process for Preparing High-Strength Pellets of Ilmenite Concentrate. J. Sustain. Metall. 8, 551–565 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40831-022-00508-w

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