Effect of iron oxide mineral structure on agglomeration behaviour and agglomerate properties
Date
2013
Authors
Quaicoe, I.
Nosrati, A.
Skinner, W.
Addai Mensah, J.
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Conference paper
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2013 Chemeca proceedings: Challenging Tomorrow, 2013, pp.471-477
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2013 Chemeca: Challenging Tomorrow (29 Sep 2013 - 2 Oct 2013 : Brisbane, Australia)
Abstract
Presence of different iron oxides (e.g., goethite, hematite and magnetite) may not only affect the leaching behaviour and acid consumption rate of laterite ores, but can also influence its agglomeration behaviour and agglomerate properties which impact on heap geotechnical structure and performance. In this study, the effect of iron oxide mineral type (goethite, hematite and magnetite) on the agglomeration behaviour and product properties (e.g., compressive strength, re-wetting stability and microstructure) was investigated. Batch, drum agglomeration tests performed with 30 %w/w H2SO4 solution binder showed distinct mineral structuredependent particles' wetting nucleation and agglomerate growth behaviour. For effective agglomeration to produce 5 - 40 mm size agglomerates in <14 min, goethite markedly required lesser binder dosage than hematite and magnetite. Goethite agglomerate growth rate was slightly slower than that of magnetite and hematite due to its lower binder dosage, but all the three samples displayed coalescence growth behaviour. Microstructure analysis revealed that the pore volume of both wet and dry agglomerates of hematite is greater than those of magnetite and goethite. Comparatively, the dry agglomerate compressive strength of goethitic Ni laterite was greater than magnetite and hematite but lower than goethite. The wet agglomerate strength decreased in order of goethite ≈ magnetite > hematite ≈ goethitic Ni laterite. The re-wetting stabilities of the agglomerates markedly decreased in the order of goethite > magnetite > hematite. The findings foster our understanding on how mineralogically different iron oxide phases may impact on ore agglomeration and product attributes which are pivotal in laterite ore heap leaching performance.
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Copyright 2013 Engineers Australia