Abstract: There is provided a filtration and distribution device for a molten metal, which is in the form of a bag having parts made of a solid heat-resistant fabric and open areas made of an open weave heat-resistant fabric. At least some of the parts made of the solid heat-resistant fabric are replaced by rigid parts made of a moldable or thermo-formable composite consisting of an open weave heat-resistant fabric embedded into a matrix made of a heat-resistant inorganic material compatible with the open weave heat-resistant fabric. Preferably, the open weave heat-resistant fabric forming the open areas of the bag, is made of yarns that are rigidified and protected by application thereto of a heat-resistant coating. This coating is preferably made of a heat-resistant inorganic material applied by spraying or dipping after the yarns are weaved. The rigidification can be achieved naturally or by thermal treatment.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for manufacturing of pellets of chrysotile asbestos fibers, wherein asbestos fibers containing from 5 to 20% by weight of water are pelletized to form wet pellets that are subsequently dried until their residual water content reaches 0 to 1% by weight. Then, an aqueous solution or suspension of a substance compatible with the intended use of the pellets is sprayed onto the same to form a selective protective coating that eliminates release of asbestos dust and airborne particles. The obtained pellets have excellent mechanical properties that make them easy to handle, thereby allowing safe and easy transportation of chrysotile asbestos in bulk.

Abstract: A self-fluxing binder composition for use in the pelletization of an ore concentrate, especially iron ore concentrates. The composition comprises from 50 to 98% by weight of one or more carrier having a high surface area, and from 2 to 50% by weight of a water soluble organic enhancer. The carrier is selected from the group consisting of natural and synthetic magnesium and/or calcium bearing minerals and preferably consists of synthetic, fibrous-like forsterite. The enhancer is selected amongst the natural polysaccharides, of high viscosity, and more preferably amongst the natural gums of high viscosity such as the guar or xanthan gum and amongst starch and is derivatives. The use of such a self-fluxing binder composition improves the properties of the green and dry pellets and makes them more easy to handle, as compared to those produced with other conventional binders. Moreover, the pellets that are produced with such a binder composition have improved metallurgical properties.

Abstract: An improved iron ore sinter for use in a blast furnace is made from a raw sinter mix comprising: iron-bearing materials; basic fluxes including a source of CaO and a source of MgO; and solid carbon-bearing material usually coke breeze, used as a heat-generating combustible. To produce the sinter, the raw sinter mix is subjected to a sintering treatment at a high temperature in order to cause the iron-bearing materials, fluxes and carbon-bearing material to agglomerate and sinter by incipient fusion; an air-cooling treatment in order to produce a hard lumpy substance having a porous cellular structure; and a mechanical treatment to break the lumpy substance into a specific size range. The improvement to the above sinter lies in that the source of MgO in the raw sinter mix exclusively consists of synthetic olivine obtained by calcination of serpentinite.