EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION OF IMPROVING BORON REACTIVITY IN
REDUCTION OF BORON-BEARING IRON CONCENTRATE

Y. X. Han
Northeastern University
Shenyang, China
(*Corresponding author: dongdafulong@mail.neu.edu.cn)
J. W. Yu
Northeastern University
Shenyang, China
E-mail address: neu_mpc237@163.com.
Y. J. Li
Northeastern University
Shenyang, China
E-mail address:liyanjun@mail.neu.edu.cn.
P. Gao
Northeastern University
Shenyang, China
gaopeng@mail.neu.edu.cn.
J. Liu
Northeastern University
Shenyang, China
liujie@mail.neu.edu.cn.
Y. S. Sun
Northeastern University
Shenyang, China
E-mail address:neusunyongsheng@163.com.
EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION OF IMPROVING BORON REACTIVITY IN
REDUCTION OF BORON-BEARING IRON CONCENTRATE
ABSTRACT
The boron-bearing iron concentrate was extracted from the paigeite ore by the process of
magnetic-gravity separation. In order to fully utilize the refractory ore and meet the boron consumption
of China, a novel process for separation of boron from iron in boron-bearing iron concentrate was
proposed in this paper, and laboratory scale experiments of improving boron reactivity were performed
in particular. Fine boron-bearing iron concentrate briquettes were reduced by bituminous coal
completely at 1398 K for 150 min. The effect of sodium carbonate, which was used as an additive in
the roasting processing, was investigated. The addition of sodium carbonate decreased the boron
reactivity and facilitated the volatilization of boron. The influence of divers cooling methods of the
reduced samples on the boron reactivity was studied. The results indicated that the boron reactivity of
the reduced samples was 80.76% when they were cooled by the rapid water quench method. In addition,
the magnetic material containing 92.81 % Fe with a recovery of 95.58 % and boron-rich non-magnetic
material containing 14.11% B2O3 with a recovery 89.59% could be obtained by low-intensity magnetic
separation. The magnetic material and boron-rich non-magnetic material were good raw materials for
steel-making and borax production.
Figure 1 – Effect of dosage of sodium carbonate on the reactivity of boron
Figure 2 – Effect of diverse cooling methods on the reactivity of boron
KEYWORDS
Boron-bearing iron concentrate, Solid direct reduction with magnetic separation, Metallic iron powder,
Boron-rich non-magnetic material, Boron reactivity