The Use of Clay as A Binder in Briquetting Finely Dispersed Dust of Ferrosilicon Production

The paper presents the results of studying the use of bentonite clay as part of a complex binder for briquetting finely dispersed dust generated during the production of ferrosilicon. Samples obtained with various compositions and compaction pressures were studied. As a result of the study, it was determined that the use of bentonite clay as part of a complex binder made it possible to obtain briquettes of increased strength. The most optimal for briquetting is the following composition of the charge: finely dispersed dust of ferrosilicon production – 85%, water – 5%, binder – 10%, of which liquid glass – 3-7%, bentonite clay the rest. Briquette production modes were as follows: the drying temperature 40°C within 60 minutes, compaction pressure 50 kN. This method of producing briquettes makes it possible to provide briquettes with the silicon content comparable to the content in the main products and to obtain the technologically necessary strength of the briquette (about 38-40 MPa).