Production of ferrite grade iron oxide from iron ore fines

Abstract

Process feasibility studies have been initiated to determine the possibility of preparation of ferrite grade iron oxide from the iron ore fines through hydrometallurgical route. The process essentially involves pressure leaching of the iron ore fines in alkali medium and subsequent washing with dilute acid solution where most of the undesirable constituents like silica, alumina and calicia are leached out leaving the high quality iron oxide in the residue. The different variables studied to optimise the process conditions involve reaction time, temperature, pressure, slurry pulp density and concentration of leachant. The results of leaching tests showed that it would be possible to produce ferrite grade iron oxide (99.4%) with over 81% yield on leaching the ore fines in 25% NaOH solution of pulp density 1.5 g/cc for 5 hours at 200 C under 40 kg/cm2 operating pressure and are discussed.