Comparison of physical properties of oxidative sintered pellets produced with UG2 or metallurgical-grade South African chromite: A case study

Abstract

The physical properties of oxidative sintered pellets produced from typical
\nSouth African UG2 ore are compared with the physical properties of pellets
\nproduced with conventional South African metallurgical-grade chromite
\nore (from the Lower Group 6 or the Middle Group 1 and 2 seams). A
\nstatistical evaluation of the cured (sintered) compressive strengths proved
\nthat pellets prepared from UG2 ore are likely to have the same, or better,
\ncompressive strength than pellets prepared from metallurgical-grade
\nchromite ore. The cured abrasion strength of the UG2 pellets was also
\nsuperior to that of the metallurgical-grade pellets. Scanning electron
\nmicroscopy (SEM) backscatter, secondary electron, and elemental X-ray
\nmapping were used to determine the reasons for the general superior
\nstrength of the UG2 pellets. The case study UG2 ore also required 13 kWh/t
\nless energy for milling to attain the required particle size distribution prior
\nto pelletization, which can lead to substantial cost savings. Results
\npresented in this paper can be utilized by ferrochromium (FeCr) producers
\nto better quantify the advantages and disadvantages associated with the
\nuse of UG2 ore for FeCr production