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Improved Grindability of Iron Ores using Microwave Energy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 February 2011

J. W. Walkiewicz ,
S. L. McGill  and
L. A. Moyer
J. W. Walkiewicz
Affiliation:
Reno Research Center, Bureau of Mines, U.S. Department of the Interior Reno, NV 89512-2295, U.S.A.
S. L. McGill
Affiliation:
Reno Research Center, Bureau of Mines, U.S. Department of the Interior Reno, NV 89512-2295, U.S.A.
L. A. Moyer
Affiliation:
Reno Research Center, Bureau of Mines, U.S. Department of the Interior Reno, NV 89512-2295, U.S.A.
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Abstract

The Bureau of Mines, U.S. Department of the Interior, has conducted studies to utilize rapid microwave heating to stress fracture ore samples. Iron ores containing hematite, magnetite, and goethite were subjected to microwave energy in batch operations at 3 kW and heated to average temperatures between 840° and 940° C. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) photomicrographs verified fracturing along grain boundaries and throughout the gangue matrix. Standard Bond grindability tests showed that microwave heating reduced the work index of iron ores by 9.9 to 23.7 pct. Preliminary studies using a continuous feed belt in a microwave applicator indicated that samples heat more uniformly and with better temperature control than in batch operations.

Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 124: Symposium M – Microwave Processing of Materials I , 1988 , 297
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1988

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References

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