Optimal dimensions of magnesium oxide briquettes

The paper discusses experimental studies on determining the drop strength of cylindrical magnesium oxide briquettes used in the metallurgical and refractory industries. Briquettes with a magnesium oxide content of 97% were produced by dry pressing, i.e. without a binder or moisture. Special equipment for producing cylindrical briquettes by single-action compacting in a closed mold was manufactured in the laboratory. The particle size of the material to be compacted does not exceed 1 mm. The resulting briquettes are studied with the following compaction process parameters: compaction stress ranging from 20 to 100 MPa, without heating the mixture and without lubricating the inner surface of the mold. The cylindrical briquettes were produced on a vertical hydraulic press with a nominal force of 100 kN. All the series of briquettes were produced with the same mixture compaction coefficient, which is equal to 3. These modes of compacting charge mixtures are implemented on roller briquetting presses under commercial production conditions. The study determines the following briquette properties: average density and drop strength. The average briquette density is 2.05 g/cm3. The analysis of the mechanical properties yields the optimal briquette shape in terms of strength. The results of the study make it possible to optimize the process of producing briquettes from magnesium oxide and to change the shape and size of the cells cut on the rolls of briquetting presses. The results will increase the economic efficiency of briquetting processes and the productivity of the roll briquetting process.