Optimization model coupling both chemical compositions and high-temperature characteristics of sintering materials for sintering burden

We developed a mathematical optimization model coupling chemical compositions and high-temperature characteristics of sintering materials, targeting the best quality and lowest cost. The simplex algorithm was adopted to solve this model. Four kinds of imported iron ores, two kinds of Chinese iron ore concentrates, and two kinds of fluxes were selected to verify both the model and the algorithm. The results confirmed the possibility of considering both chemical compositions and high-temperature characteristics of iron ores in the optimization model. This model provides a technical roadmap to obtain a precise mathematical correlation between the lowest cost and the grade of iron in sinters based on the condition of given raw materials, which can provide a reference to adjust the grade of iron in the sintering process for enterprise.

Load reduction sintering for increasing productivity and decreasing fuel consumption

The technical and economical indexes and the physical properties of load reduction sintering processes with the supporting stands of installation at different height levels （300, 350, and 400 mm）： in a sintering bed were studied under the same conditions of raw material, bed height, and sintering parameters. Sintering pot tests with different bed heights and fuel ratios of the mixture with or without supporting stands were performed to decrease the fuel consumption. The airflow rate through the sintering bed was measured with an anemoscope fixed on the bed surface to reveal the effects of supporting stands. The utilization of load reduction sintering can improve the permeability of the sintering bed, and the airflow rate through the sintering bed is increased. When the stand height is half of the sintering bed, the productivity increases by 27.9%, and the drum index slightly decreases. Keeping at the same productivity level with normal sintering, the utilization of load reduction sintering can decrease the solid fuel consumption by 9.2%.

Comprehensive Evaluation of OxyCup Process for Steelmaking Dust Treatment Based on Calculation of Mass Balance and Heat Balance

Through the mass balance and thermal balance calculation for a typical OxyCup （or OxiCup） furnace process featuring a capacity of 380 kt/a of steel plant residuMs, the material flow and thermal flow diagrams were firstly obtained. Then, the performance of the main fuel in the OxyCup process, i.e. coke and carbon dust, was ana lyzed, and the results indicated that coke was mainly used as the stock column skeleton for the furnace and exothermal agent with a weak reduction ability; whereas carbon dust was mixed in the C-brick to reduce the iron oxide. In addition, the comparison between OxyCup process and traditional blast furnace process indicated that the reduction and melting processes in the OxyCup process were relatively isolated, while in the traditional blast furnace process, they were mixed with each other in the high temperature zone. Moreover, oxidizing atmosphere is necessary in part of the OxyCup furnaces to ensure the complete combustion of part of the coke, while only reducing atmosphere is al lowed in traditional blast furnaces. Finally, it was confirmed that oxygen enrichment can make a remarkable increase of the energy income and high temperature blast makes oMy a small contribution to energy income as the energy from the combustion of carbon takes up nearly 90% of the total income.