A Review on the Effect of the Mechanism of Organic Polymers on Pellet Properties for Iron Ore Beneficiation

Abstract

Iron ore pellets not only have excellent metallurgical and mechanical properties but are also essential raw materials for improving iron and steel smelting in the context of the increasing global depletion of high-grade iron ore resources. Organic polymers, as important additive components for the production of high-quality pellets, have a significant impact on the formation as well as the properties of pellets. In this review, the mechanisms of organic polymers on the pelletizing properties, bursting temperature, and pellet strength at low and high temperatures, as well as the existing measures and mechanisms to improve the high-temperature strength of the organic binder pellets are systematically summarized. Compared with traditional bentonite additives, the organic polymers greatly improve the pelletizing rate and pellet strength at low temperatures, and significantly reduces metallurgical pollution. However, organic binders often lead to a decrease in pellet bursting temperature and pellet strength at high temperatures, which can be significantly improved by compounding with a small amount of low-cost inorganic minerals, such as bentonite, boron-containing compounds, sodium salts, and copper slag. At the same time, some industrial solid wastes can be rationally used to reduce the cost of pellet binders.

Determination of the Degree of Sodic Modification of Bentonite Using Response Surface Analysis

“…Numerous studies have demonstrated that replacing or partially replacing bentonite with organic binders is feasible. However, due to their high cost and thermal instability, they are not widely utilized [8][9][10][11] . The use of low-cost solid waste as binder raw materials is also a research hotspot.…”