Fluxing of South African chromite ore with colemanite

Erwee, Markus Wouter; Geldenhuys, I.J.; Sitefane, Martin; Masipa, M.

doi:10.17159/2411-9717/2018/v118n6a15

Cited by 7 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 2 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Evaluation of the containment design is rather a consequence of work done in preparation of the design criteria for the industrialscale plant for a specific resource, operating regime and commodity produced. 10,22 Mintek is in the unique position that it not only has laboratory-and pilot-scale facilities available 23 in which research in terms of furnace containment designs can be conducted, but also capabilities in FactSage TM calculations 24 and facilities in which phase chemical analyses are conducted on as-received and post-mortem refractory samples. 25 It is the combination of these facilities and techniques that makes the research conducted on furnace containment designs so powerful.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

New Laboratory and Pilot Techniques Applied at Mintek in Aid of Furnace Containment System Designs

Steenkamp

Banda

Bezuidenhout

et al. 2021

JOM

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The Pyrometallurgy Division at Mintek is known internationally for the development of applications of direct current (DC) arc furnace technology in smelting applications, more specifically in the smelting of primary resources, i.e., chromite, ilmenite, titanomagnetite, nickel laterite and ores containing precious group metals, and secondary resources, i.e., furnace slag or dust. From a furnace containment perspective, either an insulating or a conductive design philosophy can be applied, irrespective of the raw material being processed. In the initial stages of a project, desktop studies are typically conducted which include the selection of a furnace containment design philosophy, specific to the application. To lower the risk associated with incorrect selection of a design philosophy and/or furnace containment system components, it is prudent to conduct tests on laboratory and pilot scale and to transfer the knowledge gained to industrial applications. The paper presents examples of the laboratory and pilot techniques utilized.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

New Laboratory and Pilot Techniques Applied at Mintek in Aid of Furnace Containment System Designs

Steenkamp

Banda

Bezuidenhout

et al. 2021

JOM

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…It consists of both SiO2 and CaO, and can be used in small quantities to flux chromite ore. Laboratory tests done in Mintek indicated that it is feasible to reduce processing temperatures in the ferrochrome smelting process from 1750°C to 1650°C by using colemanite instead of quartz and limestone [11]. The results indicated a similar amount and grate of metal alloy produced when using colemanite at 1650°C compared with smelting at 1750°C with quartz, magnesite and limestone.…”

Section: Using Colemanite As Flux Materialsmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…Fluxes are used in ferrochrome smelting to condition slag for its easy separation from metal, and to control the furnace condition. Chromite ores in South Africa are processed with the use of limestone and quartz for the addition of CaO and SiO2 to the process [11]. CaO helps with the ease of separation between the metal and the slag by ensuring that the slag flows, and SiO2 assists in lowering the melting point of the processed ore. Colemanite originates from Turkey, and has a molecular formula of CaB3O4(OH)3•H2O.B2O3 [11].…”

Section: Using Colemanite As Flux Materialsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Chromite ores in South Africa are processed with the use of limestone and quartz for the addition of CaO and SiO2 to the process [11]. CaO helps with the ease of separation between the metal and the slag by ensuring that the slag flows, and SiO2 assists in lowering the melting point of the processed ore. Colemanite originates from Turkey, and has a molecular formula of CaB3O4(OH)3•H2O.B2O3 [11]. It consists of both SiO2 and CaO, and can be used in small quantities to flux chromite ore.…”

Section: Using Colemanite As Flux Materialsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

The Development of a Technology Roadmap for Ferrochrome Producers

Letaba

Zulu

2021

SAJIE

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

A 30-year technology roadmap for the South African ferrochrome industry is developed to address the increasing cost of electricity and competition from China. Research on possible technologies and their applicability in ferrochrome smelting is conducted, including Industry 4.0 technologies. The developed roadmap has three phases, with full-scale digitisation deferred to the second phase. The first phase addresses the stabilisation of the industry through the introduction of alternative energy sources. The last phase of the ferrochrome industry roadmap is sustainability, which builds on the successes of previous phases. This research contributes to methods the responsible introduction of Industry 4.0 technologies in industries with existing underlying challenges. The purpose of this article is to present a technology roadmap for ferrochrome producers in South Africa as chosen by the ferrochrome industry players.

show abstract