Effect of Return Fines Embedding on the Sintering Behaviour of Vanadium Titanium Magnetite Concentrates

To improve the permeability of sinter packed bed for achieving the efficient utilization of low-grade iron bearing minerals, the effect of the returned fines embedding on productivity, yield, flame front speed (FFS) in the vanadium titanium magnetite (VTM) sintering process, tumble index (TI) of sinter, and permeability of the sinter packed bed was clarified. Results indicate that the productivity, yield, flame front speed, and tumble index of the vanadium titanium magnetite sintering process are all increased to a certain extent after embedding different sizes of returned fines, and the optimal sintering indices occur when the particle size of return fines for embedding is 3 similar to 5 mm. The optimal mass ratio of return fines for embedding was confirmed at 80%, and a continued increase in the mass ratio results in a decrease in flame front speed, yield, productivity, and tumble strength. Among the five different possible locations of embedded return fine layer, the middle-lower layer corresponds to the highest flame front speed. As the mass ratio of return fines for embedding is enhanced from 0% to 50%, the permeability of the sinter packed bed is improved at each stage of sintering.

Automated summary

In order to improve the permeability of sinter packed bed and efficiently utilize low-grade iron bearing minerals, the impact of returned fines embedding on productivity, yield, flame front speed (FFS), tumble index (TI), and permeability of the vanadium titanium magnetite sintering process was studied. The results showed that embedding different sizes of returned fines can increase the productivity, yield, flame front speed, and tumble index to a certain extent, with the optimal sintering indices occurring at a particle size of 3 to 5 mm for the embedded return fines. The study also found that the permeability of the sinter packed bed improves as the mass ratio of the embedded return fines increases from 0% to 50%.