Binder Composition For The Agglomeration Of Fine Minerals And Pelletizing Process

Abstract

Binder composition for agglomeration of fine minerals and pelletizing process The instant invention relates to a binder composition for pelletization of fine mineral particles comprising a) at least one colloid agent which exerts a cohesive force on the mineral particles forming the pellets, and b) at least one synthetic polymer which disperses mineral particles evenly in the pellets.

1 .- 23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . A binder composition for pelletization of fine mineral particles comprising
 a) at least one colloid agent which exerts a cohesive force on the mineral particles forming the pellets, and   b) at least one synthetic polymer which disperses mineral particles in the pellets,   wherein the synthetic polymer is a maleic acid/acrylic acid or a maleic acid/methacrylic acid copolymer   
     
     
         25 . The composition of  claim 24 , wherein said colloid agent is selected from the group consisting of calcium compounds, magnesium compounds, clay minerals and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         26 . The composition of  claim 25 , wherein said calcium or magnesium compound is selected from the group consisting of calcium oxide, hydrated lime, calcium carbonate, calcium oxide, magnesium oxide, calcium and magnesium hydroxide or mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         27 . The composition of  claim 25 , wherein the clay mineral is selected from the group consisting of phyllossilicates including the group of Serpentine and Kaolinite, Talc and Pyrophyllite, Micas (phlogopite, muscovite, and biotite), Illite (hydrous mica), Vermiculite and Smectites or mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         28 . The composition of  claim 26 , wherein the clay mineral is selected from the group consisting of phyllossilicates including the group of Serpentine and Kaolinite, Talc and Pyrophyllite, Micas (phlogopite, muscovite, and biotite), Illite (hydrous mica), Vermiculite and Smectites or mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         29 . The composition of  claim 24 , wherein the synthetic polymer has a weight average molecular weight in the range between 500 and 500.000 g/mol, determined by GPC against polystyrene. 
     
     
         30 . The composition of  claim 24 , wherein said colloid agent is present in a range of from 0.001% to 0.6% by weight of mineral ore. 
     
     
         31 . The composition of  claim 30 , wherein said range is from 0.02% to 0.4% by weight. 
     
     
         32 . The composition of  claim 24 , wherein said synthetic polymer is present in a range of from 0.01% to 1% by weight of mineral ore. 
     
     
         33 . The composition of  claim 32 , wherein said range is from 0.05% to 0.6% by weight. 
     
     
         34 . A mineral composition, comprising a binder composition according to  claim 24 , and a mineral selected from the group consisting of iron ore, taconite, magnetite, hematite, limonite, goethite, siderite, franklinite, pyrite, chalcopyrite, chromite, ilmenite, chrome ore, copper ore, nickel ore, zinc ore, lead ore, uranium ore, barium ore, phosphate rock, talc, dolomite, limestone, potassium sulfate, potassium chloride, double sulfate of potassium and magnesium, magnesium oxide, calcium phosphate, carbon black, coal, coal fines, calcite, quartz or any mixture thereof. 
     
     
         35 . A process for pelletizing fine mineral ores, the process comprising the steps of
 a) mixing the fine mineral ore with a binder composition according to  claim 24  to obtain a pellet feed,   b) forming the pellet feed into balls (green pellets),   c) drying the balls,   d) preheating the dried balls at 60 to 105° C. until constant weight,   e) subsequently heat the preheated balls to a temperature of 1200° C. to 1400° C. to obtain pellets.   
     
     
         36 . An additive for pelletizing mineral ores comprising at least one binder composition according to  claim 24 .