Oxidation of iron powder in a fluidized bed reactor

The potential and technological viability of oxidation of iron powder for the production of high purity ferric oxide for soft ferrites have been discussed. Results of cold model studies have been incorporated. It has been shown that the conversion of iron powder to ferric oxide is a function of particle size, time and temperature of fluidization. The optimum properties have been achieved with iron powder of about 90 μm size oxidized at 700–900°C. The oxidized powder was also characterized by chemical analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), magnetic testing and metallography.