DEVELOPMENT AND PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF FINE MINERAL PELLETIZING DISC MACHINE

Abstract

In this research, pelletizing disc machine was designed and fabricated. The design was drafted by the use of AutoCAD software. Design analysis and materials selection was carried out based on fundamental principles. The machine was fabricated with the use of Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) process following standard fabrication techniques. Performance evaluation was carried out on the fabricated machine by using 500 g of iron ore and 4 % wtbentonite to produce pellets at different angle of tilt (300, 600 and 900). Mechanical and physical test was carried out on the pellets in order to establish the suitability and efficiency of the fabricated machine. The tests carried out were drop number, drop resistance, porosity, compressive, tensile, abrasive index and tumbler index test. The results were compared with standardized value and the machine was found to be more efficient at an angle of tilt of 900.