Synchronous Volatilization of Sn, Zn, and As, and Preparation of Direct Reduction Iron (DRI) from a Complex Iron Concentrate via CO Reduction

Sn-, Zn-, and As-bearing iron ores are typical complex ores and are abundantly reserved in China. This kind of ore is difficult to use effectively due to the complicated relationships between iron and the other valuable metal minerals. Excessive Sn, Zn, and As contents would adversely affect ferrous metallurgy operation as well as the quality of the products. In this study, thermodynamic calculations revealed that it was feasible to synchronously volatilize Sn, Zn, and As via CO reduction. Experimental results showed that preoxidation was necessary for the subsequent reductive volatilization of Zn from the pellets, and the proper preoxidation temperature was 700–725°C under air atmosphere. Synchronous volatilization of Sn, Zn, and As was realized by roasting under weak reductive atmosphere after the pellets were preoxidized. The volatilization ratios of 75.88% Sn, 78.88% Zn, and 84.43% As were obtained, respectively, under the conditions by reduction at 1000°C for 100 min with mixed gas of 50% CO + 50% CO2 (in vol.). A metallic pellet (direct reduction iron) with total iron grade of 87.36%, Fe metallization ratio of 89.27%, and residual Sn, Zn, and As contents of 0.071%, 0.009%, and 0.047%, respectively, was prepared. Sn and As were mainly volatilized during weak reductive atmosphere roasting, and those volatilized in the metallization reduction process were negligible. Most of Zn (78.88%) was volatilized during weak reductive atmosphere roasting, while the metallization reduction process only contributed to 16.10% of total Zn volatilization.