Reduction behavior of SnO2 in the tin-bearing iron concentrates under CO–CO2 atmosphere. Part II: Effect of quartz

• Tin volatilization behavior affected by SiO2 under CO–CO2 atmosphere at 900–1100 °C was studied.
• Effect of SiO2 on phase transformation of SnO2 during the reduction process was determined.
• Formation of SnSiO3 has distinct effect on tin volatilization under diverse CO–CO2 atmosphere.
• Effect of SnSiO3 on the reduction mechanism of SnO2 was revealed.

Quartz (SiO2), one of the main gangue minerals in the tin-bearing iron concentrates, has an uncertain effect on the volatilization behavior of tin during the selective reduction volatilization (SRV) process. In this study, high purity quartz was added into the tin-bearing iron concentrates to investigate the tin volatilization behavior affected by SiO2 under CO–CO2 atmosphere of 10–70 vol.% CO at 900–1100 °C. In order to eliminate the interference of iron oxide in the iron concentrates, the reduction behavior of natural cassiterite and the mixture (20 wt.% cassiterite and 80 wt.% quartz) was also determined. Effect of SiO2 on the phase transformation of SnO2 was conducted using SEM–EDS, chemical phase analysis, etc.

Effect of SiO2 on the reduction mechanism of SnO2.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide