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A Novel Approach for Utilization of Ultra‐Fines Iron Ore in Sintering Process
Author(s) -
Mousa Elsayed A.,
Babich Alexander,
Senk Dieter
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
steel research international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.603
H-Index - 49
eISSN - 1869-344X
pISSN - 1611-3683
DOI - 10.1002/srin.201400368
Subject(s) - pellets , sintering , materials science , metallurgy , microstructure , coke , scanning electron microscope , pelletizing , fluidized bed , magnetite , composite material , waste management , engineering
The current study presents a novel approach for the utilization of ultra‐fines iron ore (−0.2 mm) in sintering process through its conversion into mini‐pellets (4–9 mm). The mini‐pellets were composed of ultra‐fine iron ore and calcium hydrate while coke fines were used as a coating layer. One part of mini‐pellets was cured with CO 2 to improve the strength of green pellets while another part was kept uncured. The trails were carried out in sinter pot after adjusting the operating parameters. The utilization of 30% cured mini‐pellets was accompanied by the constant highest temperature (≈1400 °C) in combustion zone. On the contrary, the sinter prepared using 30% uncured mini‐pellets showed the highest temperature (≈1471 °C) at the beginning of sintering process followed by a gradual decreasing in the temperature. The permeability of sinter bed was improved by using cured mini‐pellets in the sinter mixture. The sinter indices including the product yield, tumbler index and fuel consumption are measured. Reflected light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and X‐ray diffraction analysis were used to characterize the microstructure and the developed phases.