Study on the pelletization and agglomeration mechanisms of low-iron, high-titanium, high-vanadium iron concentrate in Chaoyang, Liaoning

The vanadium–titanium magnetite resources in the Chaoyang area of Liaoning Province (also known as Liaoxi) exceed 20 billion tonnes. The iron concentrate obtained from beneficiation is characterized by high Si, Ti, and V contents, complex mineral composition, and the absence of a mature pelletizing process. Therefore, investigating the balling behavior and pellet consolidation mechanism of this concentrate is of great significance for the efficient and comprehensive utilization of these distinctive vanadium–titanium resources. In this study, orthogonal and single-factor experiments were conducted to examine the effects of mixture moisture, balling time, wet grinding, and high-pressure grinding rolls on green pellet properties. The results show that the factors affecting green pellet compressive strength followed the order of high-pressure grinding rolls, wet grinding, balling time, and mixture moisture, whereas those affecting drop strength followed the order of high-pressure grinding rolls, balling time, mixture moisture, and wet grinding. The suitable process parameters were determined as 1.2% bentonite, 8% mixture moisture, and 12 min balling time. After preheating at 900 °C for 8 min and roasting at 1100 °C for 10 min, oxide pellets with a compressive strength of 2641 N per pellet and favorable metallurgical properties were obtained.