Research on the ring formation mechanism of magnesian flux pellets in rotary kiln

The forming of rings was a key problem of magnesian flux pellets in rotary kiln, which seriously limited production efficiency. Pellet powder and flux were the raw materials of the ring. Based on this, the bonding strength, melting behavior and microstructure of pellet powder and its mixed powder with flux were investigated. The influence of basicity (R = CaO/SiO(2)) on ring behavior of pellet powder was analyzed, and ring formation mechanism of magnesian flux pellets was clarified. The results showed that acid pellet powder was not easy to form rings due to lower bonding strength of briquettes. Due to changes in bonding process after mixing of flux, magnesian flux pellet powder produced ferrite and silicate liquid phase with lower melting point, which promoted diffusion and recrystallization of hematite and enhanced compressive strength of briquettes, then finally caused rings to form. Moreover, it is required to control roasting temperature below 1200 °C, which is a necessary condition for magnesian flux pellet powder to form an initial ring which was easy to be destroyed.