The Preparation of Dense Materials in the MgO–ZrO2 System by the Application of Nanometric Powders

Crystallization under hydrothermal conditions allowed us to prepare nanometric powders in the MgO–ZrO2 system of different magnesia concentrations. Sintering runs of these powder compacts studied using dilatometry measurements during heating and cooling revealed essential differences in their behavior. The microstructure of the resulting polycrystal is strongly related to the magnesia content in the starting powder, which strongly influences the phase composition of the resulting material and its mechanical properties. It should be emphasized that the novel processing method of such materials differs from the usual applied technology and leads to magnesia–zirconia materials of a different microstructure than that of “classical” materials of this kind.

Estimation of application efficiency of “Flumag M” magnesia flux in agglomeration and BF production.

To decrease viscosity of BF slag and improve its desulfurization ability during hot metal production a magnesia oxide is used, which is introduced into a blast furnace, as a rule, within iron ore sinter, as well as in the form of a fluxing additive. Dolomite, sometimes iron ore materials with increased magnesia content (for example, Kovdor concentrate, raw or roasted Bakal siderite) as well as magnesia-contained wastes, most often BOF slag, are usually used as a main source of magnesia oxide during iron ore sinter production. Brucite, which is widely used abroad, mainly in Japan during iron ore sinter production, is a very prospective magnesia flux. However, brucite was never used in sinter production in Russia. Main parameters and efficiency of its application were obtained under Japan raw materials conditions. However sinter chemical and mineral compositions at Russian and Japanese sinter plants considerably differ. In this connection studies on influence of the magnesia flux “Flumag M”, which is identical by its composition to brucite, on the process parameters of sinter burden sintering and pellets production were carried out. The estimation of application efficiency of “Flumag M” magnesia flux was made during typical sintering of NLMK sinter burden. It was determined, that partial and complete substitution of dolomite by the “Flumag M” magnesia flux in the NLMK sinter burden results in an increase of specific productivity of sintering process by 10–20% (comparative) and the sinter strength by 3–5% (comparative) correspondently. Laboratory experiments on “Flumag M” magnesia flux application, carried out in STI NITU “MISiS”, showed, that raw pellets with magnesia flux additives have higher compressive strength comparing with the pellets having dolomite additives. Impact strength and abrasion strength of roasted pellets is higher, comparing with those with dolomite. Optimal content of “Flumag M” flux in the pellets burden is 2%. The application of “Flumag M” magnesia flux enables to remove burden from the burden and increase strength of roasted pellets.

Prediction of the properties of blast furnace slag in modern conditions of blast furnaces of Ukraine

The aim of the work is the development of models for predicting the properties of final blast-furnace slags for the rapid assessment of the slag regime and the development of sound management recommendations when using various additives in the operating conditions of blast furnaces in Ukraine. A two-stage approach to calculating the properties of blast-furnace slag is proposed: according to the model of a “homogeneous” melt and taking into account its heterogeneity. A predictive model has been developed for calculating the viscosity of a «homogeneous» slag by including the integral parameter of the slag melt parameter e in the model structure, which takes into account the individual effect on the viscosity of each component of the slag composition. The current production data of the chemical composition of the final slag shows the effect of the magnesia content, alkaline compounds, basicity, Al2O3/MgO ratio on the calculated viscosity of the slags. For various operating conditions of blast furnaces, it has been shown that, due to incomplete combustion of coke and pulverized coal, the viscosity of slags increases by 1.5–2 times and their melting temperatures by 30–500C. Comparative analysis of the calculated properties of slag for different operating conditions of 3 furnaces in Ukraine confirms the appropriateness of using a complex of predictive models for the rapid assessment of the technological properties of slag, which makes it possible to choose a rational slag mode in modern conditions of blast smelting.

Effects of Magnesia Fines on Physical Properties of Al2O3-MgO Unfired Bricks

Al2O3-MgO unfired bricks were prepared by using brown corundum, white corundum, fused magnesia and α-A12O3 micropowder as main starting materials, Al2O3-SiO2 gel powder as a binder. The effects of magnesia fines addition on physical performance of Al2O3-MgO unfired bricks were investigated. The phase composition and microstructure were investigated by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The results showed that with the increase of magnesia fines addition, bulk density of Al2O3-MgO unfired bricks after dried decreased and strength increased. After heat treatment at 1100 °C, apparent porosity (AP) slightly reduced, bulk density (BD) slightly increased. Strength had little change. After heat treatment at 1500 °C, AP first decreased and then increased, and strength change correspondingly. The hot modulus of rupture (HMOR) first increased and then decreased with increasing magnesia content. The optimum magnesia addition is at 6.0 wt. %.

Amphiboles from the Younger Granites of Nigeria. Part I. Chemical classification

SummaryThe Younger Granites of Nigeria contain varied assemblages of iron-rich ferromagnesian minerals in which amphiboles are an important component. Eighteen of these amphiboles (separated from rocks belonging to nine complexes) have been chemically analysed and the results are presented and discussed. The amphiboles are shown to fall into two groups, a lime-alkali group (comprised of ferrohastingsite of general formula NaCa2Fe″4Fe‴Al2Si6O22(OH)2) and an alkali group (of general formula (Na, K, Ca)2.5–3.0(Fe″, Fe‴)5(Al, Si)3O22(OH)2). The alkali amphiboles are characterized by their extremely low magnesia content, by the presence of Li and F (both in significant amounts), and are of specialinterest because of the unusual amount of ZnO they contain. Optical properties of the amphiboles have been determined but it has not been found possible to use these properties to determine accurately the chemical composition of the alkali amphiboles. It is suggested that, according to current classifications of amphiboles, the analysed alkali amphiboles should be called riebeckitic arfvedsonites or arfvedsonites. The relationship between the hastingsites and the alkali amphiboles is not yet clear.