Determination of FeO content in Clinker

The magottaux method of ascertaining the reduced condition which is a

confirmatory test.

1. There are a multitude of methods for the wet-chemical analysis of ferrous iron, but few of
them are simple. The reason for this is that FeO is very easily oxidised during the typical sample
dissolution stage.

 2. Because of the highly oxidizing conditions present in the kiln, the oxidation state of the iron
in the raw materials is not usually an issue. Even elemental iron (such as in tyre wire) will
oxidize to Fe2O3 under normal kiln conditions, if it remains reasonable finely divided.

The FeO content in iron ore should not be a problem. Indeed some plants have used magnetite
(FeO.Fe2O3) as their iron corrective, without the slightest detrimental effect.

Will there will be a fluctuation in the LOI of Kiln feed due to presence of FeO?

What would be the FeO content in the Clinker when it is under reduced conditions?

Whether or not there is a significant change in kiln feed LOI will depend on the exact amount of
any increase in FeO content in the kiln feed.

For example;-

FeO reacts with O2 upon heating to form Fe2O3 by the following equation;-

2 FeO + 1/2 O2 = Fe2O3

Therefore, from the molecular weights; - 143.7g FeO + 16g O2 will produce 159.7g Fe2O3

This means that FeO has an "LOI" of (146.7-159.7)/146.7*100 = -11.1% (actually a Gain On

Ignition of 11.1%)

So, if we increase the FeO content of the kiln feed by 1% (while keeping the LSF, S.R. and
A.R constant) we will reduce the LOI by (1/100*11.1) = 0.11%

ie. 0.11% drop in LOI for every1% increase in FeO for the same kiln feed chemical moduli.

 Due to the active promotion of an oxidizing kiln atmosphere in most well-operated kilns, I have

never come across Fe+2 levels in clinker more than about 500-800 ppm in normal grey cement
kiln operation. This is why you need a very sensitive test (Magotteaux) to detect Fe+2 in clinker. 

However, I'm sure it is possible to produce clinker containing much more Fe+2 if the reducing

conditions in the burning zone are very exceptionally strong (eg burning coal impinging directly
on the clinker bed)