Effect of mechanical activation process on carbotermic direct reduction of chalcopyrite ore

In this study, the changes in the physical structure of the biochar-chalcopyrite concentrate mixture prepared for the direct reduction of chalcopyrite were examined as a result of subjecting it to excessive grinding. In the XRD patterns of the over-ground sample, it was determined that the dominant peak of chalcopyrite in the original sample decreased depending on the further grinding time. In TGA-DTA analysis, it is seen that exothermic reactions start at 380℃ and continue until 700℃, and endothermic reactions start and continue after 700℃. After 60 minutes of advanced grinding, it was observed in the XRD images obtained as a result of direct processing of the produced pellet at different temperatures for 30, 60 and 120 minutes, that all of the peaks in the original image disappeared and new peaks were formed. It was observed that a metallic copper peak formed at 800℃, and this peak continued to exist at 900, 1000 and 1100℃ temperatures. While a 22.58% weight decrease was observed in the over-ground sample at 800℃, it was observed that the highest weight loss in the unground sample was 14.52% in the sample treated for 120 minutes at 1100℃.