GB205063A - Improvements in or relating to processes of agglomerating loose materials - Google Patents

Abstract

205,063. Stillman, A. L.. Oct. 3, 1922, [Convention date]. Processes. - A process of agglomerating or briquetting metalliferous loose material such as blast furnace flue dust or phosphate rock comprises mixing the material with an acid or metallic salt which will react with the material to produce a binder within the mass, subjecting the mass to pressure during the formation of the binder, and discharging the material from the press before the formation of the binder is completed, there being used in conjunction with the. acid or salt an agglutinant agent having of itself sufficient binding power to hold the mass together and preferably such as to render the compressed mass waterproof. In the case of blast furnace dust, which should be fresh so that it contains not less than about 10 per cent of ferrous oxide, the added substance may be an acid such as hydrochloric sulphuric, or carbolic, or a salt such as ferrous sulphate or magnesium chloride, the action being to convert ferrous oxide in the material into ferric oxide which acts as a binder or cement; in the case of phosphate rock the action is to form di-calcium phosphate which acts as the cement. The added agglutinant agent fulfils only the function of holding the briquette together during its fall from the press and subsequent handling and may comprise tar, pitch, asphaltic oils, neutral sulphite liquor, molasses &c. The two classes of addition may be made together in one substance. such as tar or pitch containing tarry acids, or acid sulphite liquor.