Comprehensive Utilization of Paigeite Ore Using Iron Nugget Making Process Original Research Article

The feasibility of paigeite ore treatment with iron nugget making process is proved. The isothermal reduction experiments at laboratory scale were carried out, using carbon bearing pellets which were made of boron containing iron concentrate and pulverized coal mainly, from 1623 to 1723 K with different heating time. The results indicated that iron nugget making process depends mainly on heating time and temperature. And the iron nugget and slag can separate in a clean manner at 1673 K for 15 min. For the iron nugget, the C content is 3.57% (mass percent) and B is 0.065% (mass percent). The B2O3 content of slag is 20.01%, and the boron was concentrated into one phase which is identified as suanite (Mg2B3O5) during the solidification. With an extraction ratio of 80% under the atmospheric conditions, the activity of boron in slag is good. The boron-rich slag can be used to extract boric or boric acid and alleviate the shortage of boron resource. Through series of calculation and analysis related, it can be concluded that the recovery ratio of Fe and boron are about 98% and 97% respectively. The results show that this method is feasible and effective on the utilization of paigeite ore.