Author:
Pickles Christopher,Lu Ting
Abstract
Microwave radiation is a relatively new energy source that is being considered for several applications in mineral processing and extractive metallurgy. In the present research, various gibbsite-type bauxite ores were subjected to microwave radiation. The main objective was to assess the effect of microwave dewatering on the compressive strength indices of the ores and to compare the results obtained to those for conventional heating. Firstly, the fundamental interactions of the microwaves with the ores were evaluated by determining both the real and the imaginary permittivities as a function of temperature, and these were related to the water content. Secondly, the microwave heating behavior was modeled using a 24 factorial statistical analysis. Thirdly, the effect of dewatering by microwave heating on the compressive strength indices of roughly spherical bauxite ore pisoids was studied, and these results were compared to those obtained using conventional heating. Fourthly, the effect of particle size on the compressive strengths of irregular-shaped single particles of bauxite ore was investigated using both heating techniques. Finally, the energy requirements for dewatering of the ores, and hence reducing their compressive strengths, were compared for both processes. On the laboratory scale, the results showed that in comparison to conventional dewatering, microwave dewatering resulted in lower strength indices at both lower moisture removals and energy inputs.
Funder
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council
Subject
Geology,Geotechnical Engineering and Engineering Geology
Cited by
3 articles.
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