Mineralogical properties of ludwigite and the effects of microwave radiation on its particle characteristics and mineral liberation properties

Abstract

To effectively separate the valuable minerals in ludwigite, this study investigated the mineralogy of ore, particle-size distribution and mineral liberation characteristics. Most of the magnetite was intergrown with ascharite and serpentine. Nearly half of the serpentine existed in a dense, massive body. Most of the ascharite was encased in magnetite, and a small amount was embedded in the serpentine phase. After the microwave radiation, some intergranular and through cracks were formed to improve mineral liberation during the grinding process. The mass fractions for the +75 μm range decreased from 43.16 wt% for untreated samples to 24.31 wt% for treated samples with a microwave power of 3 kW for 40 s. By contrast, the mass fractions of particles in the −75 μm range increased from 56.84 wt% for untreated samples to 75.69 wt% for treated samples. D₅₀ decreased from 53.54 µm for the untreated sample to 21.58 µm for the treated sample. The liberation degrees after the treated samples clearly improved and increased by 26.64% for magnetite, 18.92% for ascharite and 14.10% for serpentine.

Keywords:

• Ludwigite
• elemental distribution
• microwave radiation
• particle size
• liberation degree

Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge the help and support by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the Natural Science Foundation of Hebei province.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The authors gratefully acknowledge the help and support by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 51804094) and the Natural Science Foundation of Hebei province (E2019402086).

Notes on contributors

Weijun Huang

Weijun Huang is a lecturer in Hebei University of Engineering, Handan, China. He received his PhD degree in Materials Science from Northeastern University. His research interests mainly focus on element extraction and waste recycling.

Tao Jiang

Tao Jiang is a professor in Northeastern University. He received his PhD degree in Materials Science from Northeastern University. His research areas include the application of microwave energy and microwave processing of minerals.

Yajing Liu

Yajing Liu is a lecturer in Hebei University of Engineering, Handan, China. She received his PhD degree in Materials Science from Northeastern University. Her areas include the application of microwave energy and microwave processing of minerals.

Tonglai Guo

Tonglai Guo is a lecturer in Hebei University of Engineering, Handan, China. He received his PhD degree in Materials Science from Northeastern University. His research interests mainly focus on element extraction and waste recycling.