Study of high-magnesia iron ore feedstock integrated processing

Introduction. Iron and magnesium form a common lattice of the initial ore and its calcination products, which is the main obstacle limiting the widespread use of the ores of the Bakal group of deposits. Research aim is to develop the physicochemical foundations of the integrated processing of high-magnesia siderite ores using pyro- and hydrometallurgy methods. Research methodology is based on data analysis from thermogravimetry, X-ray and Mössbauer spectroscopy, and chromatography. The analysis made it possible to determine suitable conditions for heat treatment, leaching, chemical and phase composition, structure and properties of integrated processing products of high-magnesia iron ore raw materials. Results. A new scheme for high-magnesia iron ore raw materials integrated processing has been proposed. Testing of the scheme in laboratory conditions has shown that it allows to increase the iron content in the concentrate by 7% and to obtain up to 100–120 kg per ton of highly active magnesia concentrate containing no less than 98% of magnesium oxide. It has been established that some products of the integrated processing are catalytically active in the processes of ethanol steam conversion and Kuznetsk Basin coal conversion, as well as in the water gas shift reaction. Summary. The proposed scheme makes it possible to increase iron and related elements extraction degree, without changing the working conditions on the operating plants.