Iron ore processing -- in-situ monitoring

Mössbauer spectroscopy has been used to provide detailed quantitative insight into the reaction products present at different stages of the processing/reduction of iron ores. Typical phases include: α-Fe2O3; Fe3O4; Fe1-xO; Fe3C and Fe, which are in agreeement with the results obtained using standard wet chemistry methods. As an extension of this post reaction examination of products, we have used Mössbauer spectroscopy for in-situ measurements during the week long operation of an iron ore processing pilot plant. Such in-situ measurements allow optimal control of the plant to be obtained with, depending on the strength of the source, a time constant of ~ 1 h.