Impact of process parameters on drying of dolomite ore by microwave energy

Abstract

Microwave drying tests on dolomite ore were carried out in order to determine the effect of process parameters and optimum conditions. Dolomite ore, crushed under 2 mm particle size with water to bring the moisture content to about 5% was fed to the microwave oven. Time-dependent moisture removal rate and surface temperature changes were determined in experiments performed at different microwave oven powers (180, 600 and 800W). The very low capacities of industrial microwave ovens are a handicap for activities requiring high capacities such as mining. The rate of moisture removal was taken into consideration in evaluating the results. The optimum experimental conditions have been found that drying can be carried out at 800W for 8 minutes end up with removal of 33% moisture from the dolomite ore.

Keywords

• microwave
• microwave energy
• dolomite
• drying
• moisture removal