Phase transformation of friable chromite ore during heating in the inert atmosphere

Abstract

In India, Cr content in chromite ore varies in the range of 30–45%. Sometimes ore pellets get fused out during the process in the industry. Very few fundamental studies have been carried out to understand the phase transformation and thermo-chemical reactions occurring when Indian chromites ores interact with the oxides under different conditions. Such a study is vital to design appropriate agglomeration strategies as well as to improve the efficiency in the production of ferro-chrom. These studies would help in designing appropriate process routes to treat raw ores and to produce suitable agglomerates from the finer ores for improving the efficiency of production of ferro-chromium. In this study ore was taken from Sukhinda mines and crushed and sized at NIT Jamshedpur. Mesh +150 was utilized to make pellets after various heat treatments at 900, 1000, 1100, 1200°C for 1hr in presence of Ar gas and was taken for microscopic study. This study reveals the dissemination of Chromite particles in its parent phase, with the increase in temperature. Mesh -150 after the series of heat treatments at 900, 1000, 1100, 1200°C for 1hr in presence of Ar gas and was taken for XRD study at NML Jamshedpur. we observes that interaction between the phases takes place at different temperatures. As the result of these interaction various phase change takes place. Generation of new phases and integration of the few phases takes place. These integration and generation of the old and new phases may be the possible reason for the fusion of the pellets in Ferro-chrome industries during the process.