An investigation into the influence of microwave energy on iron ore–water slurry rheology

Abstract The transporting of slurries in pipelines depends largely on rheological behavior of the solid–liquid suspension. These rheological properties of slurries are very much influenced by the slurry concentration, particle size distribution and, surface characteristics. The present invention is concerned with the effect of these parameters on slurry rheology using microwave (MW) energy. Microwave pre-treatment for rheological behaviour of iron ore-water slurries (IWS) were carried out in an online Bohlin viscometer. Detailed experimental work for Indian iron ore were conducted at power level of 900 W and 30, 60, 90 and 120 s various exposure times in microwave oven. The microwave treated and untreated test samples were ground for rheological characteristic of slurries. It was seen that microwave-treated ore have better rheological properties as compared to untreated ore. This type of slurry is shear thinning and easy to transport as it exhibited pseudo-plastic behavior. The result showed that microwave-treated iron ore have a density lower than that of untreated ore after grinding. Statistical design analysis was employed to develop empirical equations and found to be encouraging and highly considerable.