Mechanical Performance Of Resultant Pellets From Itakpe And Agbaja Iron Ore Blends
Okeke Chidimma Rose
Dept. of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, (ESUT), Enugu, Nigeria
Abstract
This study determined the mechanical properties of pellets produced from blends of Itakpe and Agbaja iron ores. Various blend ratios were evaluated for their drop resistance, green compressive strength, dry compressive strength, indurating compressive strength, moisture content, tumbler index, abrasion index, and microporosity. The drop resistance was highest at a 60/40 Itakpe/Agbaja ratio, with a value of 4.78 cm, while the green compressive strength peaked at 11.98 N/P for an 80/20 blend. The dry compressive strength and indurating compressive strength were optimized at 70/30 ratios, with values of 34.7 N/P and 2592.40 N/P, respectively, indicating this blend as most suitable for blast furnace and direct reduced iron processes. The optimum moisture content was observed at a 50/50 blend ratio (6.76 ml), the tumbler index was highest at 93.83% for a 60/40 blend, and the best abrasion index was also obtained at a 60/40 ratio (4.59%). Microporosity peaked at a 10/90 Itakpe/Agbaja blend ratio (9.98%). Overall, the study demonstrates that the 70/30 Itakpe/Agbaja blend provides sufficient mechanical strength and overall pellet quality, making it the most suitable composition for efficient iron production