High purity magnetite formation process and apparatus, and product thereof

An apparatus for converting powdered hematite into high purity magnetite, comprising:

• a heating device having a first end and a second end,
• a feed zone adjacent the first end of the heating device for feeding hematite into the heating device,
• a discharge zone adjacent the second end of the heating device for receiving the high purity magnetite,
• at least two temperature zones within the heating device,
• a multiplicity of heating elements for heating a first temperature zone having a first temperature and a second temperature zone having a second temperature, wherein the heating elements are structured to heat the second zone to a higher temperature than the first zone, the second zone starting and ending between about 15% of the distance from the first end of the heating device to the second end and the second end of the heating device, and
• a gas passage for conveying gas into the heating device.