Particle characterisation and magnetic separation behaviour of iron bearing minerals in sukinda chromite ores

Sunil Kumar Tripathy, V. Singh, Y. Rama Murthy, V. Tathavadkar, P. K. Banerjee, N. Suresh

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Particle characteristics such as size, density, liberation and magnetic susceptibility play vital role in magnetic separation technique. To understand the performance of magnetic separation process for chromite beneficiation industry, particle characteristics need to be analysed. However, to date, this has been an expensive and time consuming task, thus only minimal amounts of this type of data are available in the literature. Several new methods are being developed, that will produce the required mineralogical and liberation data to provide processing information rapidly and inexpensively. Among these, QEMSCAN is a unique and advanced characterisation equipment used for liberation analysis for different ore whereas S.G. Franz Isodynamic Separator for determining the magnetic susceptibility. In Indian chromite deposits, the content of iron bearing minerals in the ore is typical which controls the Cr:Fe ratio in the product while treating in gravity based beneficiation plant. In the present investigation, detailed characterisation of two distinct chromite ore samples from Sukinda chromite deposit, India, was investigated which includes advanced mineral characterisation using QEMSCANand magnetic susceptibility measurement by using Frantz Isodynamic separator, etc.. Presence of haematite and gibbsite along with chromite mineral were identified as major gangue minerals in the high grade ore from XRD pattern whereas Goethite, Quartz, Haematite, Kaolinite, Ringwoodite identified in the low grade ore. The mass magnetic susceptibility of low grade ore is very high 5.2 cm3/g compared to 2.7 cm 3/g for high grade ore, due to the presence of abundant quantity of iron bearing minerals. Subsequently, these two types of ore were subjected for magnetic separation for improving Cr:Fe ratio by using different magnetic separators viz. induced roll magnetic separator, wet high intensity magnetic separator, rare earth roll magnetic separator, rare earth drum magnetic separator. The results of magnetic separation studies indicated that, Cr: Fe ratio of the chromite ores can be improved to 3.99 and 1.97 from the feed assaying 3.09 and 1.29 respectively. Studies on rare earth roll magnetic separator indicated that both the ores were upgraded to a maximum Cr:Fe ratio level at optimised condition.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publication26th International Mineral Processing Congress, IMPC 2012
Subtitle of host publicationInnovative Processing for Sustainable Growth - Conference Proceedings
Pages5521-5530
Number of pages10
StatePublished - 2012
Externally publishedYes
Event26th International Mineral Processing Congress, IMPC 2012: Innovative Processing for Sustainable Growth - New Delhi, India
Duration: Sep 24 2012Sep 28 2012

Publication series

Name26th International Mineral Processing Congress, IMPC 2012: Innovative Processing for Sustainable Growth - Conference Proceedings

Conference

Conference26th International Mineral Processing Congress, IMPC 2012: Innovative Processing for Sustainable Growth
Country/TerritoryIndia
CityNew Delhi
Period9/24/129/28/12

Keywords

  • Characterization
  • Chromite
  • Industrial mineral
  • Magnetic separation
  • QEMSCAN
  • Rare earth roll magnetic separator

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