Applications of Dolomite In the Iron and Steel Industry
Dolomite (CaMgCO3)2 is a naturally occurring dry carbonate mineral having calcium and magnesium carbonate as its primary components. It is also known as dolostone, a mineral that forms the major constituent of sedimentary rocks.
Dolomite is also a constituent of metamorphic rocks and limestone. Commonly, people refer to it as dolomitic marble and limestone, respectively. Among Aravali Onyx, its application limits to a few industries.
The construction industry and chemical industry prominently utilize this mineral. Moreover, it also acts as a raw material for the paint industry. Some of the other uses are observed in metal processing, soil restoration, soap, bricks, glass, and ceramics manufacturing.
Dolomite: An Active Ingredient in Iron and Steel Industry
It acts as a key ingredient for the iron and steel industry due to its physical and chemical properties. Besides being a paint industry mineral supplier, Aravali minerals also provide dolomite to the iron industry. In blast furnaces, it finds use as a slag to separate the gangue particles from the iron ore.
Aravali Group is the pioneer and trusted soapstone and dolomite supplier for the paint industry and various sectors. As a manufacturer, we understand the importance of its quality and how it serves as a refractory material during iron production. In the blast furnace process of iron manufacturing.
Benefits of Dolomite in Sintering Method
A dolomite manufacturer uses its calcined form during the sintering method of iron production. It helps remove the carbon dioxide. It is first crushed down to 3mm using hammer crushers before being introduced to the sinter mix.
Some of the benefits of reaching out to a dolomite manufacturer for its calcined form include:
- It improves binder characteristics of sinter mix.
- It enhances the sintering machine efficiency and productivity
- It strengthens the sinter.
- It also reduces the release of exhaust gases providing several associated advantages.
The sintering process requires dolomite due to its high silica (SiO2) content. Every paint industry mineral supplier suggests the same, as SiO2 counters the effect of alumina (Al2O3) in the furnace.
Alternatively, the rotary kiln process of direct reduced iron (DRI) production also involves the application of dolomite from Aravali minerals. Here, its raw form acts as a desulphurizing agent. For this purpose, its size must range from 4 mm to 8 mm.
Dolomite for Steel Industry
In addition to being a raw material for the paint industry and iron manufacturing, dolomite also plays a vital role in steel making. Given its acidic nature, the dolomite used in the steel industry must contain less than 1% of silica.
Here, it finds use as a fluxing and refractory material. Moreover, the calcined dolomite must be used as a fluxing material for two major reasons.
i) Firstly because it serves as a source of lime (CaO) which further reduces the consumption of calcined lime.
ii) Secondly, it protects the steel-making vessel by shielding its magnesia carbon lining.
The role of dolomite in the steel industry as a refractory material is justified as it helps make the slag. It remains supersaturated in MgO at the steel-making temperature. Thus, this raw material for the paint industry is also an active ingredient of the steel industry.
Dolomite and Modern Technology
Now, the manufacturers implement the slag splashing technology to remove the leftover slag. Here also, calcined dolomite comes in handy. It enhances the lining life of the basic oxygen furnace (BOF) vessel.
So, the manufacturerscombine the calcined form with the leftover liquid slag. Later, they splash it on the basic furnace vessel. It enhances the slag viscosity and makes it even stickier. Moreover, this process also enhances the refractory properties of the slag.
Further, in the steel-making furnace, the use of high iron, sintered dolomite expands to the maintenance of refractories. It involves the frequent application of Aravali minerals between heats with the help of a spinning machine.
In addition to serving the steel and iron industry, our dolomite powder finds use in the agricultural sector. Its magnesium content acts as a plant nutrient and helps in soil restoration. Its application as a filler and adhesive also allows us to connect to various other fields.
Aravali Onyx – Leading Dolomite Manufacturers
Aravali Onyx is a leading raw material supplier for the paint industry and is proved to be a one-stop solution for many industries. We are on a mission to provide quality dolomite supply catering to the client’s needs and purposes worldwide. Contact us for orders now!