Iwasaki, Iwao2017-06-072017-06-072003-06-20Project #5601119http://hdl.handle.net/11299/188378Green ball qualities are adversely affected by increased concentrations of Ca++ and Mg++ in process waters because of the replacement of Na+ in bentonite by the divalent cations through cation exchange reaction. Preliminary laboratory tests indicated that displacement of interstitial plant water in filter cakes with RO. water restored ball quality. A few preliminary pilot plant tests were performed to study the effect of removing ca++ and Mg++ ions from filter cakes during filtration by spray washing with softened water, and its effect on balling characteristics.enGreen ball qualitiesBentoniteClayCa++Mg++Na+Taconite plantsNatural Resources Research InstituteUniversity of Minnesota DuluthTechnical Report