Zinc dust and zinc ash from hot-dip galvanizing industries located in Venezuela were characterized using atomic spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-Ray diffraction and infrared spectroscopy. Dust was formed during the high-pressure drying process of the galvanized pieces, in a plant that uses a steel kettle to hold the molten zinc. Ash identified as "A" came from the same plant as the dust, while ash identified as "B" came from a hot-dip galvanizing plant which use a ceramic lined galvanizing furnace. Dust contained 98 wt % Zn, in metallic form. Both ash samples contained: Zn and ZnO, while Zn 5 (OH) 8 Cl 2 ×H 2 O and ZnCl 2 were only found in ash "B". Globally, ash "A" and ash "B" contain 71 and 75 wt % Zn, respectively.

The dehydration process of two limonitic ores from Venezuela was studied between 250 °C and 950 °C by means of thermogravimetry, infrared spectroscopy, and x-ray diffraction. These techniques indicated for both minerals that the goethite-to-hematite transformation occurred in the range of 250-350 °C. In addition, the x-ray diffraction showed a structural re-arrangement within the orebody above 350 °C, temperature above which only the hematite structure is recognizable. Finally, infrared spectroscopy revealed that such transformation implies the loss of structural OH-functional groups, characteristic of the limonite.Keywords: Iron Ore; Limonite; Thermal Modification of Minerals. ResumenSe estudió el proceso de deshidratación de dos minerales limoníticos de Venezuela entre 250 °C y 950 °C, usando termogravimetría, espectroscopia infrarroja y difracción de rayos x. Para ambos materiales, estas técnicas indicaron que la transformación de goethita a hematita ocurrió en el rango de 250 °C a 350 °C. Adicionalmente, la difracción de rayos X mostró un rearreglo estructural dentro de la mena a una temperatura por encima de 350 °C; a temperaturas mayores, solo se reconoce la estructura de la hematita. Finalmente, la espectroscopia infrarroja reveló que la transformación de goethita a hematita implica la pérdida de grupos funcionales de OH-estructural característicos de la limonita. Study of the calcination process of two limonitic iron ores between 250 °C and 950 °C ResumoEstudou-se o processo de desidratação de dois minérios limoníticos da Venezuela entre 250 °C e 950 °C, usando termogravimetria, espectroscopia infravermelha e difração de raios x. Para ambos os materiais, estas técnicas indicaram que a transformação de goethita a hematita ocorreu no intervalo de 250 °C a 350 °C. Adicionalmente, a difração de raios X mostrou um rearranjo estrutural dentro do minério a uma temperatura por cima de 350 °C; a temperaturas maiores, só reconhece-se a estrutura da hematita. Finalmente, a espectroscopia infravermelha revelou que a transformação de goetite a hematita implica a perda de grupos funcionais de OH-estrutural característicos da limonita.Palavras chave: Limonita; Mineral de ferro; Modificação térmica de minérios.Cómo citar este artículo: L. Longa-Avello, C. Pereyra-Zerpa, J. A. Casal-Ramos, and P. Delvasto, "Study of the calcination process of two limonitic iron ores between 250 °C and 950 °C," Rev.