Sintering fundamentals of magnetite alone and blended with hematite and hematite/goethite ores

Abstract

This work overviews the properties and sintering behaviour of Chinese magnetite concentrates, and inter-actions between magnetite concentrates and imported hematite, hematite/goethite ores in sintering. Sintering performance of several Chinese ore blends was also presented to provide greater understanding of the behaviour of imported hematite and hematite/goethite ores. Chinese magnetite concentrates are generally more complex in chemistry and mineralogy and less reactive compared to hematite, Marra Mamba and goethite ores. Sinter beds formed from blends containing high level of magnetite concentrate are more deformable, and thus this could reduce their green bed permeability during charging and application of suction. SFCA formation in magnetite sintering occurs primarily in the cooling stage as magnetite oxidation is rather limited prior to the arrival of high temperature zone. Porous hematite and Marra Mamba ores are easy to react and hence assist melt formation. Addition of porous hematite and Marra Mamba ores to magnetite concentrates improves granulation efficiency and sintering performance considerably. © 2005 ISIJ.