Lagergren kinetic model for water uptake by beds of iron ore particles

Moisture capacity is a new measure of representing the ability of iron ores to hold water, and was introduced, along with the equipment for measuring it, in previous studies. In practice, the time for the mixing and granulation of raw materials is limited, so the kinetics of water absorption into the mixture is important in industrial applications. A mathematical model, based on the Lagergren kinetic model, was developed to explain the water absorption rate curves. The results for eight samples show that the rate of water absorption into and between the iron ore particles agreed with a Lagergren first order kinetic equation. The coefficients for this relationship describing water absorption into a bed of iron ore particles were calculated. The values can give good information for the optimal mixing time for granulation.