Characterization of Egyptian Manganese Ores for Production of High Carbon Ferromanganese

Mohammed Salah Fahim, Hoda El Faramawy, Azza Mohammed Ahmed, Saaed Nabil Ghali, Abd El Hakim Taha Kandil

Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Helwan University, Cairo, Egypt.
Department of Steel and Ferroalloys Technology, Central Metallurgical Research and Development Institute (CMRDI), Cairo, Egypt.

DOI: 10.4236/jmmce.2013.12013                

Abstract

This work aims at studying the reactivity of Egyptian manganese ores to be used in the production of ferromanganese alloys in submerged electric arc furnace. Ores with different manganese content (high-medium and low) were selected and characterized by X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The main mineralogical compositions in the three ores are pyrolusite (MnO₂) and hematite (Fe₂O₃). Porosity of selected Mn ores was determined. The reactivity of the different ores was carried out through pre-reduction of the selected ores using thermobalance at 900°C and 1100°C and mixture of CO and CO₂ gases. The reduction process was done until steady weight. The reduced ores were examined using XRD and SEM. The results showed that pyrolusite in high and medium ores are converted completely to MnO at 1100°C. However, the ore with low manganese content was converted to MnO and Mn₃O₄. Consequently, it is clear from the results that Mn ores with high and medium MnO₂ content are more reactive than those with low MnO₂. Therefore, high MnO₂ content Mn ores are preferable to get good economic impact during the production of high carbon ferromanganese.

 

Keywords

High Carbon Ferromanganese; Manganese Ores; Ore Reactivity; CO Reduction; Porosity

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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