Study of the influence of different types of bentonite clays on the quality indicators of pellets
Authors: E Chuprinov , V Lyalyuk , F Zhuravlev , D Kassim , I Lyakhova 
Published: December 2020

Objective: to analyze and determine the influence of bentonite clays of different deposits and exchange ionic complexes on the metallurgical properties of iron ore pellets. Methods: performing rheological studies of bentonite clay samples and their chemical analysis, electron microscopic studies of samples. To assess the metallurgical characteristics of the pellets obtained, the moisture of the pellets, the compressive strength of the wet and dry pellets, the number of dumpings without destroying the wet pellets, and the temperature of the «shock» have been determined. Results: laboratory tests were conducted to determine the suitability of bentonite clays of different mineralogical composition and exchange ion complex for the production of pellets. Tests have shown that the impact resistance and compression resistance of raw pellets at a slightly increased specific consumption of bentonite Cherkasy alkaline-earth bentonite does not concede to the same properties of pellets with the use as a binder alkaline Saryugyhsky bentonite. It is demonstrated that to ensure good quality of raw pellets, an auspicious variety of clays of the Cherkasy deposit are clays of the IV layer, which are a natural mixture of alkaline-earth bentonite of the II layer and palygorskite (III layer). Tests of composite mixtures of clays IV with II and II with III layers showed that the quality of raw pellets with Cherkassky bentonite is slightly worse than with Sarygyuhsky, however, the absolute values of their indicators satisfy the industry requirements. Comparative tests of pelletizing of charges with different humidity and with the addition of 0.5% alkaline bentonite and a mixture of clays of the IV and II layers of the Cherkassky deposit have been carried out. It is shown that with increasing humidity in granules with both types of binders, the dynamic strength, porosity and temperature of the “impact” of granules increase with a minimum difference in the absolute values of indicators with different binders. To objectively confirm the possibility of using alkaline-earth bentonite of the Cherkassky deposit (II-III-IV layers) in the production of pellets, it is necessary to conduct comparative industrial tests at a pelletizing plant (for example, SevGOK), using a concentrate with the in-creased hardness of industrial water. Scientific novelty: the influence of alkaline bentonite replacement in charge for pellet production with alkaline earth, paligorskite clays and mixtures of their forms has been studied. The comparative influence of moisture content of raw pellets on their porosity and strength characteristics with alkaline and alkaline earth bentonites in the charge was studied. Practical significance: using the properties of raw, dry and calcined pellets as an example, the possibility of using less scarce and expensive local bentonite clays instead of expensive exported alkaline clays without impairing the production technology and characteristics of the pellets is shown.