Effect of Sample Geometry and Placement on Iron Ore Processing by Microwave

Sample and oven factors are important in determining the magnitude and uniformity of power absorption. The effects of these parameters on water and food materials have been studied. However, interaction of microwave with minerals is poorly understood. In this research, the effect of sample and oven parameters such as sample volume and placement of sample on microwave heating of water and an iron ore material were studied and obtained data were compared. The results showed that for water heating, with increasing in sample volume from 200 to 1000cm3 the microwave energy absorbed by water was increased from 71.27 to 100%, also with increasing in sample surface area from 50.24 to 78.50 cm2 the microwave, energy absorbed by water was increased from 76.36 to 89.09%. In iron ore heating, the surface area is effective parameters only. When iron ore sample volume was increased without increasing in surface area, the microwave absorption was constant while with increasing in sample surface area from 50.24 to 126.6 cm2, the microwave energy absorbed by iron ore was increased from 36.6 to 61.82%. The maximum temperature for iron ore material was occurred at 5.7 cm distance from the center while the maximum temperature for water sample was occurred at 5cm distance from the center