Particle size impact on dry magnetic separation efficiency

Spotlight of this study is on the influence exerted by sizes of finely milled titanium– magnetite ore on dry magnetic separation performance toward reduction in magnetite iron loss in tailings. The tear-off angle of particles from separator drum can differ for particles of different size, subject to their magnetic susceptibility and field density of the separator model in use. For this reason, magnetic product can contain fines and particles with low iron content and low magnetic susceptibility. Alternatively, nonmagnetic product can contain large particles and aggregates with high iron content and high magnetic susceptibility. An increase in the field density of drum separators (from 0.16 to 0.24 T) allows using dry magnetic separation without preliminary screening of finely milled ore. In this case, mass fraction of total and magnetite iron reduces in nonmagnetic product. Coarse and fine particles in dry magnetic separation tailings at the field density of 0.25 T has an increased mass fraction of magnetite iron as compared with the intermediate sizes. Theoretically, the most effective technology of titanium–magnetite ore pretreatment is separate dry magnetic separation in different magnetic fields for large fractions (high field density) and fine fraction (low field density).

Pelevin A. E., Sytykh N. A., Cherepanov D. V. Particle size impact on dry magnetic separation efficiency. MIAB. Mining Inf. Anal. Bull. 2021;(11-1):293—305. [In Russ]. DOI: 10.2501 8/0236_1493_2021_111_0_293.

Pelevin A. E.¹, Dr. Sci. (Eng.), Associate Professor, Professor at the Mineral Processing Department, e-mail: a-pelevin@yandex.ru;
Sytykh N. A.², Head of Quality Control Department;
Cherepanov D. V.², Chief Specialist for Technological Development at Processing Plant;
¹ Ural State Mining University, Yekaterinburg, Russia;
² EVRAZ Kachkanar Mining and Processing Plant, Kachkanar, Russia.

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