Since 1994
A manufacturer, not a trader. Bentonite at Bhuj, polymers at Domjur.
Pellet-Maker™: bentonite binder for iron ore pelletizing
Mechanically processed bentonite, treated with soda ash for very high swelling, that binds iron ore fines and lifts the drop number at a lower addition.
Description
Pellet-Maker™ is a bentonite binder for pelletizing iron ore fines. It is mechanically processed and treated with soda ash to achieve a very high swelling capacity, which binds the fines. It gives high green and dry compressive strength, and the drop number improves immediately on a lower addition. It is ground fine for a larger surface area, low in silica and high in montmorillonite.
What goes wrong on site
What you see on site
What this does about it
- Green pellets crack in handling and come back as returns.
- The drop number improves immediately on a lower addition.
- Pellets lose their strength once dried.
- It gives excellent dry as well as green compressive strength.
- Binder dilutes the iron in the pellet.
- A lower addition and a low silica percentage: the yield increases, with better TFe percentage.
- The binder behaves differently from one delivery to the next.
- Its technical specification has no variation.
Technical properties
- 35 mlFree swelling volume (ASTM D5890)
- 380 mg/gMethylene blue adsorption (VDG), minimum
- 650PWA at 2 hours, minimum
- 90%Passing 200 mesh
- 12% maxMoisture by weight
- 9–11pH, 3% suspension
Properties of the binder as supplied; the specification does not vary from lot to lot. It is added at 1.2%, the lower addition at which the drop number improves.
Packing 25 kg bags, stretch-wrapped on wooden pallets, or 1,300 kg jumbo bags.
Running a different binder today?
Send us the analysis of your ore fines and the addition rate you run now. The technical desk reads it and replies within 1 working day.
Made by us. Checked by others.
ISO 9001:2015
All our plants are quality management system certified.
Star Export House
Recognised by the Government of India. We ship through Mundra and Kandla.
Own mine, Kutch
The clay in every bag comes from our own reserves in Kutch.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Pellet-Maker™ used for?
Pelletizing iron ore fines. It is mechanically processed and treated with soda ash to achieve a very high swelling capacity, and that capacity binds the iron ore fines.
What is drop number, and how does Pellet-Maker™ improve it?
Drop number measures green pellet toughness: how many times a green pellet can be dropped onto a steel plate before it cracks. A higher drop number means pellets survive handling and transfer. Pellet-Maker™ binds the fines through its very high swelling capacity, and the drop number improves immediately on a lower addition of 1.2%.
Will it affect my pellet's iron content (TFe)?
Every binder adds silica and alumina, so a lower addition protects TFe. Pellet-Maker™'s silica percentage is low, so less inert material dilutes the ore charge: the yield will increase, offering better TFe percentage. Send us your ore fines analysis if you want this answered against your own charge.
Why cost the binder per tonne of pellets rather than per tonne of bags?
Because your plant is paid for pellets, not for bags. At the 1.2% addition, one tonne of Pellet-Maker™ goes into about 83 tonnes of pellet feed, so your binder cost per tonne of pellets is the delivered price divided by about 83. The addition rate is what moves that number.
Which test methods and standards apply?
Free swelling is tested to ASTM D5890 and methylene blue adsorption to the VDG standard.
Is Pellet-Maker™ soda-ash activated, and why?
Yes. Pellet-Maker™ is mechanically processed and treated with soda ash to give it a very high swelling capacity, and that swelling is what binds the iron ore fines. The result is strong green and dry pellets and a higher drop number at a lower addition of 1.2%.
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