Iron oxide
About Iron oxide
Iron oxides are an important by-product of the chemical and steel industries. They are produced in steel mills, for example, during the rolling of steel and the refining of pig iron. Iron oxide is also produced in the chemical industry, for example during the roasting of sulfur gravel. Recycling and reuse in the iron and steel industry or in the cement industry as a raw meal additive can save considerable quantities of natural iron ore.
Cement industry
The cement industry uses iron oxides as a valuable raw material to improve cement clinker properties. If the raw meal composition is low in iron, iron oxide can be added as a corrective to optimize the mineral composition. In this way, burning behavior and the sintering process can be optimized. For this purpose, iron oxide is ground with limestone, clay, aluminum oxide and other raw materials during the cement manufacturing process to form a raw meal and burned at temperatures of approx. 1450 °C to produce cement clinker. Cement clinker is ground together with calcium sulfate and other admixtures to form cement, which is used in the construction industry. Cement is the binder in concrete and mortar used to build foundations, building structures and roads.
Recycling iron oxide is an important step in reducing waste. Iron oxide can be recycled through various processes and used in different industries. By reusing iron oxide, companies can cut costs, reduce environmental impact and save valuable resources.
Steel industry
The production of iron and steel is an energy-intensive process that generates large quantities of iron oxides. This iron oxide is not necessarily a waste material, but can be used as a valuable raw material through recycling. The reuse of iron oxide can lower the cost of producing iron and steel while reducing the environmental impact of waste disposal. By using it as an iron ore substitute in pig iron production, natural resources can be conserved and logistical effort can also be minimized.