Sector

Applications in various industries

Refractory minerals play a key role in the production of refractory bricks and resistant mortars. Dolomite and dunite are used in the manufacture of alkaline refractory bricks for steelmaking and cement furnaces due to their high heat stability and alkalinity. In addition to their stabilizing role in the composition of refractory mortars, calcined lime and lime increase the mechanical strength and adhesion of bricks at high temperatures. Magnesite, with its excellent chemical and thermal resistance, is also the main material in the production of magnesite bricks, which are used to line metal smelting furnaces and the chemical industry.

Refractory industry

The water and wastewater treatment industry is one of the essential sectors of urban and industrial infrastructure. Its role is to remove pollutants, suspended particles, microorganisms, and harmful chemicals from water, making it suitable for reuse or safe discharge into the environment. This process typically involves sedimentation, filtration, aeration, and disinfection. Minerals play a significant role in improving the quality of the treatment process—particularly in adjusting pH levels, reducing water hardness, and absorbing heavy metals. The use of these minerals increases equipment efficiency, reduces the consumption of costly chemicals, and enhances the final water quality

Water and wastewater treatment

In steel production, calcined dolomite is used as a refractory material and flux in electric arc furnaces and basic oxygen furnaces. With its high resistance to heat and controlled reactivity, it helps improve steel quality and reduce impurities. The proper use of dolomite in the steelmaking process increases the lifespan of refractories and reduces production costs.

Steel industry

In the steel and foundry industry, limestone and dolomite are used for fluxing and refining molten metal. These materials remove impurities such as silica, sulfur, and phosphorus from the melt, improving the quality of the final metal. Dolomite is also used as a refractory lining for furnaces and ladles, enhancing their resistance to heat and corrosion. The use of these minerals not only improves the quality and purity of steel but also enhances process efficiency.

Foundry industry

In the livestock industry, limestone and dolomite are used as rich sources of calcium and magnesium in animal feed. These minerals play a vital role in improving bone strength, increasing milk production, and optimizing the digestive system’s performance, thereby enhancing the health and productivity of the herd. Additionally, lime is used in farm sanitation to disinfect facilities, control odors, and reduce the growth of pathogens.

Livestock industry

Applications of Dolomite in Industries

Due to its unique properties and versatility, dolomite plays a significant role in the steelmaking process. Here are some ways dolomite can be used in a steel manufacturing company:

Fluxing Agent:
Dolomite acts as a fluxing agent by forming slag that can be easily separated from molten metal, aiding in the removal of impurities such as sulfur and alumina from iron ore. Generally, in sintering processes for iron production, calcined dolomite improves the bonding properties of sinter mixtures, increases equipment efficiency, strengthens sintered products, and reduces emissions.

Forms used: Raw or calcined dolomite.

Refractory Material:
Used to protect refractory linings in furnaces, dolomite increases their lifespan by resisting corrosion and heat damage.

Forms used: Calcined or sintered dolomite is preferred for refractory applications due to its high thermal resistance.

Desulfurization Agent:
Dolomite helps remove sulfur from molten steel, enhancing its quality and properties.

Slag Formation:
Calcined dolomite aids in slag formation that removes impurities during refining, increasing the strength and durability of steel products.

Source of Lime (CaO):
Dolomite supplies some lime (CaO), reducing the need for additional calcined lime during steel production and optimizing resource use.

Other Industrial Uses of Dolomite:

Construction Materials: Used as aggregate for concrete, asphalt, cement production, and railway ballast due to its hardness and density.
Agriculture: Used to adjust soil pH and improve crop quality by supplying essential nutrients like calcium and magnesium.
Water Treatment: Helps regulate pH levels in water sources due to its alkaline nature.

Applications of Calcined Lime:

Construction Industry: Used in cement production and as a component in lime mortar and plaster.
Metallurgy: Acts as a flux in steelmaking to remove impurities and in refining non-ferrous metals.
Chemical Industry: Used as a raw material for various chemicals and for pH control in chemical processes.
Water Treatment: Used for water softening and pH adjustment in treatment plants.
Environmental Applications: Reduces sulfur dioxide emissions in flue gas treatment and stabilizes soil properties.
Agriculture: Corrects soil acidity and serves as a calcium supplement in animal feed.
Food Industry: Used in food processing for water clarification and as a clarifying agent.

Differences Between Dolomite and Limestone:

While both are carbonate rocks used similarly in many applications, their differences lie mainly in their mineral composition and physical properties such as hardness and acid reactivity.

Chemical Composition:
- Dolomite: Primarily calcium magnesium carbonate (CaMg(CO₃)₂) with alternating layers of magnesium and calcium ions.
- Limestone: Primarily calcite (calcium carbonate, CaCO₃).
Hardness and Durability:
- Dolomite has a Mohs hardness of 3.5–4, slightly harder than limestone (~3), making it more durable against weathering like freeze-thaw cycles.
Solubility and Absorption:
- Dolomite is less soluble in weak acidic groundwater than limestone, which enhances its moisture resistance.
Reaction with Acid:
- Dolomite reacts weakly or slowly with dilute hydrochloric acid, unlike limestone, which reacts vigorously.
Porosity and Texture:
- Dolomitic rocks typically have higher porosity due to a sugar-grain texture, impacting their use as reservoir rocks in oil and gas.

Overall, dolomite’s unique chemical and physical properties distinguish it from limestone in terms of durability, solubility, acid reaction, and potential industrial applications.

Benefits of Using Dolomite:

Long-term advantages include improved product quality, enhanced process efficiency, and alignment with sustainable production goals—contributing positively to both economic durability and environmental responsibility.

Applications of Sintered Dolomite:

Sintered dolomite is a granular refractory material used to repair refractory linings in foundry ladles, produce tar-impregnated dolomite bricks, resin-bonded dolomite bricks, and pitch-bonded dolomite bricks, and for cement kiln linings.

Dolomite bricks are used for lining BOF vessels, AOD vessels, electric arc furnaces, and steel ladles.

Applications of Sintered Magnesite (DBM) in Industries:

Steelmaking: Widely used in furnace linings, electric arc furnace hearths, rotary kilns, ladles, and other refractory applications due to excellent thermal stability and chemical resistance.
Magnesia Bricks: Used extensively for refractory linings with high thermal resistance and durability; often combined with carbon to resist alkaline slag corrosion.
Steel Production: Used in Basic Oxygen Furnaces (BOF) and Electric Arc Furnaces (EAF) for high-temperature and slag erosion resistance.
Ladle Linings: Magnesia-carbon bricks protect ladle linings from molten steel and slag chemical attack during secondary refining.
Slag Line Protection: Helps prevent erosion from hot slag during casting operations.
Operational Efficiency: Prolongs furnace lining life and reduces maintenance requirements.

Applications of Calcined Magnesite (CCM) in Industries:

Due to its high reactivity and thermal stability, CCM is important in various sectors:

Steel industry: For refractory linings.
Environmental applications: Soil remediation, waste neutralization, water and flue gas treatment.
Agriculture: Used as fertilizer or feed supplement for cattle.
Chemical processes: Used in hydrometallurgy for metal precipitation from acid solutions.
Construction materials: Used in Sorel cement production for rapid hardening floors and repairs.
Chemical production: Intermediate for chemicals like magnesium acetate used in synthetic silk production.
Glass industry: Improves glass quality by controlling thermal expansion properties.
Other industries: Used in rubber and plastics as acid scavenger and curing agent, in mineral-insulated cables, as catalyst support, and fuel additives.

Applications of Dunite in Industries:

Dunite’s high magnesium content makes it valuable for:

Magnesium Source: Extracted for MgO production, useful in refractories and fertilizers.
Refractory Materials: High melting point (~1550°C) and thermal shock resistance make it ideal for refractory bricks in steelmaking and other high-temperature uses.
Blast Furnace Operations: Used as flux or additive to improve burden permeability and gas-solid reactions.
Carbon Sequestration: Accelerated weathering process allows dunite to react with atmospheric CO₂, potentially mitigating climate change.
Abrasives: Suitable as an abrasive material in industrial processes.
Foundry Applications: Used as molding and core sand in metal casting.
Environmental Uses: High potential in carbon capture technologies.
Construction Aggregates: Crushed dunite is used for road base and durable construction aggregates; also used in cement production.
Soil Improvement: Improves drainage and aeration in agriculture.
Mineral Wool Production: Used for manufacturing insulating mineral wool.

Dunite’s unique properties and high olivine content make it a versatile material with industrial uses ranging from refractories and steelmaking to construction and environmental solutions.

Comparison of Dunite with Traditional Refractories:

Dunite offers several performance advantages due to its chemical and physical characteristics, providing an effective refractory option in demanding industrial environments.

Applications of Mag-Dol (Magnesia-Dolomite) in Industries:

Refractory Industry: Raw material for refractory bricks, mortars, and other products used in high-temperature industrial furnaces.
Steelmaking: Widely used magnesia-dolomite refractories in converters and electric arc furnaces offer excellent resistance to alkaline slag corrosion, extending furnace lining life.
Cement Kilns: Suitable for lining cement kilns, tolerating harsh thermal and corrosive conditions.
Non-Ferrous Metal Melting: Magnesia-dolomite bricks are used in furnaces for non-ferrous metal melting due to thermal shock resistance and mechanical strength.
Tundishes and Ladles: Excellent refractoriness makes magnesia-dolomite suitable for tundish and ladle linings, maintaining temperature stability and preventing molten metal contamination.
Agriculture: Used as fertilizer and soil conditioner due to calcium and magnesium content.

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