Processes for phosphorus removal from iron ore - a review

Abstract

This paper aims at reviewing literature on the occurrence of phosphorus in iron ores from the mines around the world. The review extends to the phosphorus removal processes of this mineral to meet the specifications of the steel industry. Phosphorus is a contaminant that can be hard to remove, especially when one does not know its mode of occurrence in the ores. Phosphorus can be removed from iron ore by very different routes of treatment. The genesis of the reserve, the mineralogy, the cost and sustainability define the technology to be applied. The articles surveyed cite removal by physical processes (flotation and selective agglomeration), chemical (leaching), thermal and bioleaching processes. Removal results of above 90% and less than 0.05% residual phosphorus are noticed, which is the maximum value required in most of the products generated in the processing of iron ore.keywords: iron ore, phosphorus removal.

Collecting Agent–Mineral Interactions in the Reverse Flotation of Iron Ore: A Brief Review

“…In anionic flotation of apatite, fatty acids (e.g., oleic acids) and their soaps are primarily used as collector [91][92][93], often in conjunction with hydrocarbon supplements (e.g., kerosene and fuel oil), to reduce the collector consumption [94]. Su, et al [95] separated apatite from magnetite with a modified fatty acid collector (Atrac-1562) at pH 8.5-9.0 and at a pulp temperature of approximately 20 • C. Kou, et al [96] carried out phosphate flotation using a refined tall oil fatty acid at a dosage of 0.45 kg/t at pH 10 with a 9:8 (by mass) concentration ratio of fatty acid to diesel.…”

Characterization studies on Agbaja iron ore: a high-phosphorus content ore

“…Processes that had been employed for phosphorus removal from iron ores include thermal treatment [7,21,24,[38][39][40][41][49][50][51][52][53], microwave treatment [38,[54][55][56], ultrasonic treatment [54], acid leaching [12,17,20,49,[56][57][58][59][60], alkaline leaching [5,59], bioleaching [30,[61][62][63], agglomeration methods [64][65][66][67], and froth flotation [31,52,68,69]. For a more detailed appreciation of the methods employed to process and valorize high-phosphorus-content ores, the recent reviews by Quast [70] and by Pereira and Papini [71] are recommended. With an ever-growing demand for natural resources and rapid depletion of high-quality sources for minerals, there arises a need for research on lower-grade minerals to ensure their economic exploitation.…”

Enrichment of Apatite-Bearing Iron Ore by Magnetic Separation and Flotation

“…Removal of phosphorus from certain iron ores has proven difficult, especially when phosphorus phases are associated with the iron phases in a very complicated manner. However, phosphorus can be removed from iron ore by physical processes (magnetic separation, flotation and selective agglomeration), chemical (leaching), thermal and bioleaching processes, as reported in the literature [2][3][4][5].…”