Per: Francisco Junior Batista Pedrosa (Instituto de pesquisas tecnológicas), Sandra Lucia de moraes (Instituto de pesquisas tecnológicas), Daniela Colevati Ferreira (INSTITUTO DE PESQUISAS TECNOLÓGICAS)
Abstract:
Since its development in the 50s, iron ore pelletizing has been gaining prominence as an alternative to enable the use of fine-size concentrates from low-grade deposits. However, inorganic binders traditionally used in pelletizing, such as bentonite, incorporate unwanted contaminants to subsequent steelmaking processes, such as silica. In this sense, in recent decades, studies and some industrial experiences have shown that organic binders can be an alternative to overcome this challenge. Among the organic binders, those based on carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) stand out. It should be noted, however, that the understanding of the agglomeration mechanisms related to these agglomerates is still recent and, therefore, requires further investigation. Thus, the aim of the present study is to evaluate the adsorption mechanisms between sodium carboxymethylcellulose, and the mineral surface of a hematite iron ore concentrate through Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis. The results obtained indicate the occurrence of chemical complexation between the carboxylate groups of CMC and the Fe3+ ions on the mineral surface. At first, this interaction occurs simultaneously with the formation of hydrogen bonds between the mineral surface and the CMC carboxylates