Thermal performance and reduction kinetic analysis of cold-bonded pellets with CO and H2 mixtures

Cold-bonded pellets, to which a new type of inorganic binder was applied, were reduced by H2~CO mixtures with different HJCO molar ratios （1：0, 5：2, 1：1, 2：5, and 0：1） under various temperatures （1023, 1123, 1223, 1323, and 1423 K） in a daermogravimetric analysis appaxatus. The effects of gas composition, temperature, and binder ratio on the reduction process were studied, and the microstxucture of re- duced pellets was observed by scanning electron microscopy-energy-dispersive spectrometry （SEM-EDS）. The SEM-EDS images show that binder particles exist in pellets in two forms, and the form that binder particles completely surround ore particles has a more significant hin- der effect on the reduction. The reduction equilibrium constant, effective diffusion coefficient, and the reaction rate constant were calculated on the basis of the unreacted core model, and the promotion effect of temperature on reduction was further analyzed. The results show that no sintering phenomenon occurred at low temperatures and that the increasing reaction rate constant and high gas diffusion coefficient could main- tain the promotion effect of temperature; however, when the sintering phenomenon occurs at high temperatures, gas diffusion is hindered and the promotion effect is diminished. The contribution of the overaJl equilibrium constant to the promotion effect depends on the gas composition.

High-chromium vanadium-titanium magnetite all-pellet integrated burden optimization and softening-melting behavior based on flux pellets

High-chromium vanadium-titanium magnetite(HVTM)is a crucial polymetallic-associated resource to be developed.The allpellet operation is a blast furnace trend that aims to reduce carbon dioxide emissions in the future.By referencing the production data of vanadium-titanium magnetite blast furnaces,this study explored the softening-melting behavior of high-chromium vanadium-titanium magnetite and obtained the optimal integrated burden based on flux pellets.The results show that the burden with a composition of 70wt%flux pellets and 30wt%acid pellets exhibits the best softening-melting properties.In comparison to that of the single burden,the softening-melting characteristic temperature of this burden composition was higher.The melting interval first increased from 307 to 362℃and then decreased to 282℃.The maximum pressure drop(ΔPmax)decreased from 26.76 to 19.01 kPa.The permeability index(S)dropped from 4643.5 to 2446.8 kPa·℃.The softening-melting properties of the integrated burden were apparently improved.The acid pellets played a role in withstanding load during the softening process.The flux pellets in the integrated burden exhibited a higher slag melting point,which increased the melting temperature during the melting process.The slag homogeneity and the TiC produced by over-reduction led to the gas permeability deterioration of the single burden.The segregation of the flux and acid pellets in the HVTM proportion and basicity mainly led to the better softening-melting properties of the integrated burden.

Effect of titanium on the sticking of pellets based on hydrogen metallurgy shaft furnace:Behavior analysis and mechanism evolution

Direct reduction based on hydrogen metallurgical gas-based shaft furnace is a promising technology for the efficient and low-carbon smelting of vanadium-titanium magnetite.However,in this process,the sticking of pellets occurs due to the aggregation of metal-lic iron between the contact surfaces of adjacent pellets and has a serious negative effect on the continuous operation.This paper presents a detailed experimental study of the effect of TiO2 on the sticking behavior of pellets during direct reduction under different conditions.Results showed that the sticking index(SI)decreased linearly with the increasing TiO2 addition.This phenomenon can be attributed to the increase in unreduced FeTiO3 during reduction,leading to a decrease in the number and strength of metallic iron interconnections at the sticking interface.When the TiO2 addition amount was raised from 0 to 15wt%at 1100°C,the SI also increased from 0.71%to 59.91%.The connection of the slag phase could be attributed to the sticking at a low reduction temperature,corresponding to the low sticking strength.Moreover,the interconnection of metallic iron became the dominant factor,and the SI increased sharply with the increase in re-duction temperature.TiO2 had a greater effect on SI at a high reduction temperature than at a low reduction temperature.

Probing deactivation by coking in catalyst pellets for dry reforming of methane using a pore network model

Dry reforming of methane(DRM) is an attractive technology for utilizing the greenhouse gases(CO_(2) and CH_(4)) to produce syngas. However, the catalyst pellets for DRM are heavily plagued by deactivation by coking, which prevents this technology from commercialization. In this work, a pore network model is developed to probe the catalyst deactivation by coking in a Ni/Al_(2)O_(3) catalyst pellet for DRM. The reaction conditions can significantly change the coking rate and then affect the catalyst deactivation. The catalyst lifetime is higher under lower temperature, pressure, and CH_(4)/CO_(2) molar ratio, but the maximum coke content in a catalyst pellet is independent of these reaction conditions. The catalyst pellet with larger pore diameter, narrower pore size distribution and higher pore connectivity is more robust against catalyst deactivation by coking, as the pores in this pellet are more difficult to be plugged or inaccessible.The maximum coke content is also higher for narrower pore size distribution and higher pore connectivity, as the number of inaccessible pores is lower. Besides, the catalyst pellet radius only slightly affects the coke content, although the diffusion limitation increases with the pellet radius. These results should serve to guide the rational design of robust DRM catalyst pellets against deactivation by coking.

Diffusion and reaction mechanism of limestone and quartz in fluxed iron ore pellet roasting process

The increase to the proportion of fluxed pellets in the blast furnace burden is a useful way to reduce the carbon emissions in the ironmaking process.In this study,the interaction between calcium carbonate and iron ore powder and the mineralization mechanism of fluxed iron ore pellet in the roasting process were investigated through diffusion couple experiments.Scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy was used to study the elements’diffusion and phase transformation during the roasting process.The results indicated that limestone decomposed into calcium oxide,and magnetite was oxidized to hematite at the early stage of preheating.With the increase in roasting temperature,the diffusion rate of Fe and Ca was obviously accelerated,while the diffusion rate of Si was relatively slow.The order of magnitude of interdiffusion coefficient of Fe_(2)O_(3)-CaO diffusion couple was 10^(−10) m^(2)·s^(−1) at a roasting temperature of 1200℃for 9 h.Ca_(2)Fe_(2)O_(5) was the initial product in the Fe_(2)O_(3)-CaO-SiO_(2) diffusion interface,and then Ca_(2)Fe_(2)O_(5) continued to react with Fe_(2)O_(3) to form CaFe_(2)O_(4).With the expansion of the diffusion region,the sillico-ferrite of calcium liquid phase was produced due to the melting of SiO_(2) into CaFe_(2)O_(4),which can strengthen the consolidation of fluxed pellets.Furthermore,andradite would be formed around a small part of quartz particles,which is also conducive to the consolidation of fluxed pellets.In addition,the principle diagram of limestone and quartz diffusion reaction in the process of fluxed pellet roasting was discussed.

The Logistics of Production and Supply of Ag Pellets for Industrial Applications in Canada

In this work we analyze the supply of biomass from field to an in-land or port destination. The biomass is pelletized to increase its bulk density to extend its storage period and for ease of its transport. The pellet may be used for conversion to chemicals and animal bedding or for straight combustion. We analyzed supply chain in Saskatchewan where there are plenty of crop residues but widely dispersed and harvest seasons are short. We envisioned that the farmer collects bales from field and transports the bales to farmstead during the harvest season. The bales are then processed into pellets using small scale pellet equipment. A custom operator with expertise in pelletization may engage in handling and densifying the biomass. The business case for the mobile mill will be similar to the well established custom grain and forage harvesting operations. The pellets are stored in hopper bottom grain bins at the farmstead. From this point, the handling of pellets would be similar to the handling and marketing of grain. The farmer trucks a specified volume of pellets from farmstead to the nearest elevator where the pellets are transferred to larger bins or silos. Pellets are extracted from silos and loaded onto the rail cars. The Canadian freight rail companies (mainly CN) currently transport over 3 million dry tonne (dt) of wood pellets in rail cars. The pellets are hauled to marine ports on the West Coast or East Coast for export. The cost of delivering ag pellets to biorefinery or to the shipping port is $86.09/dt. This cost does not include the equivalent value of removing biomass from the farm (e.g. fertilizer replacement) and return on investment. The GHG emissions to produce and transport ag pellets add up to 185.9 kg of CO2 per dt of biomass. The cost of producing pellets without drying feedstock is $35.05/dt and the corresponding GHG for palletization amounts $146.30/dt.

Effect mechanism of aluminum occurrence and content on the induration characteristics of iron ore pellets

With the intensified depletion of high-grade iron ores,the increased aluminum content in iron ore concentrates has become unavoidable,which is detrimental to the pelletization process.Therefore,the effect mechanism of aluminum on pellet quality must be identified.In this study,the influence of aluminum occurrence and content on the induration of hematite(H)and magnetite(M)pellets was investigated through the addition of corresponding Al-containing additives,including alumina,alumogoethite,gibbsite,and kaolinite.Systematic mineralogical analysis,combined with the thermodynamic properties of different aluminum occurrences and the quantitative characterization of consolidation behaviors,were conducted to determine the related mechanism.The results showed that the alumina from various aluminum occurrences adversely affected the induration characteristics of pellets,especially at an aluminum content of more than 2.0wt%.The thermal decomposition of gibbsite and kaolinite tends to generate internal stress and fine cracks,which hinder the respective microcrystalline bonding and recrystallization between Fe2O3particles.The adverse effect on the induration characteristics of fired pellets with different aluminum occurrences can be relieved to varying degrees through the formation of liquid phase bonds between the hematite particles.Kaolinite is more beneficial to the induration process than the other three aluminum occurrences because of the formation of more liquid phase,which improves pellet consolidation.The research results can further provide insights into the effect of aluminum occurrence and content in iron ore concentrates on downstream processing and serve as a guide for the utilization of high-alumina iron ore concentrates in pelletization.

Simulation of deuterium pellet ablation and deposition in the EAST tokamak with HPI2 code

Pellet injection is a primary method for fueling the plasma in magnetic confinement devices.For that goal the knowledges of pellet ablation and deposition profiles are critical.In the present study,the pellet fueling code HPI2 was used to predict the ablation and deposition profiles of deuterium pellets injected into a typical H-mode discharge on the EAST tokamak.Pellet ablation and deposition profiles were evaluated for various pellet injection locations,with the aim at optimizing the pellet injection to obtain a deep fueling depth.In this study,we investigate the effect of the injection angle on the deposition depth of the pellet at different velocities and sizes.The ablation and deposition of the injected pellet are mainly studied at each injection position for three different injection angles:0°,45°,and 60°.The pellet injection on the high field side(HFS)can achieve a more ideal deposition depth than on the low field side(LFS).Among these angles,horizontal injection on the middle plane is relatively better on either the HFS or the LFS.When the injection location is 0.468 m below the middle plane on the HFS or 0.40 m above the middle plane of the LFS,it can achieve a similar deposition depth to the one of its corresponding side.When the pre-cooling effect is taken into account,the deposition depth is predicted to increase only slightly when the pellet is launched from the HFS.The findings of this study will serve as a reference for the update of pellet injection systems for the EAST tokamak.

Pelleting and particle size reduction of corn increase net energy and digestibility of fiber,protein,and fat in corn-soybean meal diets fed to group-housed pigs

Background Reduction of the particle size of corn increases energy digestibility and concentrations of digestible and metabolizable energy.Pelleting may also reduce particle size of grain,but it is not known if there are interactions between particle size reduction and pelleting.The objective of this experiment was to test the hypothesis that particle size reduction and pelleting,separately or in combination,increase N balance,apparent total tract digestibility(ATTD)of fiber and fat,and net energy(NE)in corn-soybean meal diets fed to group-housed pigs.Methods Six corn-soybean meal-based diets were used in a 3×2 factorial design with 3 particle sizes of corn(i.e.,700,500,or 300μm)and 2 diet forms(i.e.,meal or pelleted).Pigs were allowed ad libitum access to feed and water.Twenty-four castrated male pigs(initial weight:29.52 kg;standard diviation:1.40)were allotted to the 6 diets using a 6×6 Latin square design with 6 calorimeter chambers(i.e.,4 pigs/chamber)and 6 periods.Oxygen consumption and CO_(2)and CH_(4)productions were measured during fed and fasting states and fecal and urine samples were collected.Results Regardless of particle size of corn,the ATTD of gross energy(GE),N,and acid-hydrolyzed ether extract(AEE),and the concentration of NE were greater(P<0.05)in pelleted diets than in meal diets.Regardless of diet form,the ATTD of GE,N,and AEE,and the concentration of NE were increased(linear;P<0.05)by reducing the particle size of corn,but the increase was greater in meal diets than in pelleted diets(interaction;P<0.05).Conclusions Both pelleting and reduction of corn particle size increased nutrient digestibility and NE,but increases were greater in meal diets than in pelleted diets.

Persicaria lanigera (Polygonaceae) leaf extract exhibits antiulcerogenic and antiproliferative activities against acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis and cotton pellet-induced granuloma tissue in rats

Objective:To assess the effect of leaf extract of Persicaria lanigera on cotton pellet-induced granuloma tissue formation and acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis.Methods:Rats were randomly divided into six groups:normal control,negative control,positive control(dexamethasone or sulfasalazine)as well as Persicaria lanigera(100-600 mg/kg)-treated groups.The effects of the extracts on body weight,antioxidant,and hematological parameters,as well as mast cell proliferation,were assessed.In addition,a histological evaluation was conducted.Results:Persicaria lanigera extract significantly decreased the mean exudate amount and suppressed granuloma tissue formation in a concentration-dependent manner in rats(P<0.05).Additionally,the extract significantly increased body weight,improved hematological profile,reduced the disease activity index score and malondialdehyde level,as well as enhanced catalase and superoxide dismutase activities(P<0.05).Histological evaluation showed Persicaria lanigera extract alleviated acetic acid-induced colonic damages,as evidenced by decreased cell necrosis,edema,and inflammatory cell infiltration.Conclusions:Persicaria lanigera extract possesses antiproliferative,antioxidative,and anti-colitis activities.However,its underlying mechanisms of action need further investigation.

Industrial utilization of arsenic-containing gold dressing tailings as pellet prepared by straight grate process

The utilization of arsenic-containing gold dressing tailings is an urgent issue faced by gold production companies worldwide.The thermodynamic analysis results indicate that ferrous arsenate(FeAsO_(4)),pyrite(FeS_(2))and sodium cyanide(NaCN)in the arsenic-containing gold metallurgical tailings can be effectively removed using straight grate process,and the removal of pyrite and sodium cyanide is basically completed during the preheating stage,while the removal of ferrous arsenate requires the roasting stage.The pellets undergo a transformation from magnetite to hematite during the preheating process,and are solidified through micro-crystalline bonding and high-temperature recrystallization of hematite(Fe_(2)O_(3))during the roasting process.Ultimately,pellets with removal rates of 80.77% for arsenic,88.78% for sulfur,and 99.88% for cyanide are obtained,as well as the iron content is 61.1% and the compressive strength is 3071 N,meeting the requirements for blast furnace burden.This study provides an industrially feasible method for treating arsenic-containing gold smelting tailings,benefiting gold production enterprises.

高浓度甲状腺素对软骨细胞聚集体(pellets)体外形成软骨组织的作用

目的：药物浓度（100nM）甲状腺素对组织工程软骨形成的作用。方法：将软骨细胞聚集体分为常规培养组（DMED＋10％FBS）和100nM甲状腺素组（DMED＋10％FBS＋100nM甲状腺素），体外培养1、2和3周取材进行大体形态、组织学、二型胶原和十型胶原免疫组化染色和软骨特异基因PCR分析。结果：100nM甲状腺素组形成的软骨细胞聚集体的体积和湿重均明显低于常规培养组，甲苯胺兰、二型胶原（C01II）染色较常规培养组弱，软骨细胞特异基因的表达水平与常规培养组相似，软骨细胞肥大相关基因十型胶原（ColX）及基质金属蛋白酶13（MMP13）的表达较对照组减弱，成骨方向分化相关基因（ColI，Runx2）的表达与常规培养组相似。结论：高浓度甲状腺素能够抑制软骨细胞肥大，但同时也抑制了软骨细胞增殖和软骨细胞基质分泌。

An Innovative Process for Direct Reduction of Cold bound Pellets from Iron Concentrate with a Coal-based Rotary Kiln

Successfully developed an innovative process of direct reduction of cold bound pellets from iron ore concentrate with a coal based rotary kiln, in comparison with the traditional direct reduction of fired oxide pellets in coal based rotary kilns , possesses such advantages as: shorter flowsheet, lower capital investment, greater economic profit, good quality of direct reduced iron. The key technologies , such as the composite binder and corresponding feasible techniques were employed in practice. A mill utilizing this process and with an annual capacity of 50 thousand ton DRI has been put into operation.

Oxidation behavior of artificial magnetite pellets

The oxidation behavior of artificial magnetite pellets was investigated through measurements of the oxidation degree and mineralogical analysis. The results show that artificial magnetite pellets are much easier to oxidize than natural magnetite. The oxidation is controlled through two different reaction mechanisms. The oxidation of artificial magnetite is dominated by internal diffusion, with an activation energy of 8.40 kJ/mol, at temperatures less than 800°C, whereas it is controlled by chemical reaction, with a reaction activation energy of 67.79 kJ/mol, at temperatures greater than 800°C. In addition, factors such as the oxygen volume fraction and the pellet diameter strongly influence the oxidation of artificial magnetite: a larger oxygen volume fraction and a smaller pellet diameter result in a much faster oxidation process.

Effect of carbon species on the reduction and melting behavior of boron-bearing iron concentrate/carbon composite pellets

Iron nugget and boron-rich slag can be obtained in a short time through high-temperature reduction of boron- bearing iron concentrate by carbonaceous material, both of which are agglomerated together as a carbon composite pellet. This is a novel flow sheet for the comprehensive utilization of boron-bearing iron concentrate to produce a new kind of man-made boron ore. The effect of reducing agent species （i.e., carbon species） on the reduction and melting process of the composite pellet was investigated at a laboratory scale in the present work. The results show that, the reduction rate of the composite pellet increases from bituminite, anthracite, to coke at temperatures ranging from 950 to 1300~C. Reduction temperature has an important effect on the microstructure of reduced pellets. Carbon species also affects the behavior of reduced metallic iron particles. The anthracite-bearing composite pellet melts faster than the bituminite- bearing composite pellet, and the coke-bearing composite pellet cannot melt due to the high fusion point of coke ash. With anthracite as the reducing agent, the recovery rates of iron and boron are 96.5% and 95.7%, respectively. This work can help us get a further understanding of the new process mechanism.

Effect of Cr2O3 addition on oxidation induration and reduction swelling behavior of chromium-bearing vanadium titanomagnetite pellets with simulated coke oven gas

The oxidation induration and reduction swelling behavior of chromium-bearing vanadium titanomagnetite pellets(CVTP)with Cr2O3 addition were studied,and the reduction swelling index(RSI)and compressive strength(CS)of the reduced CVTP with simulated coke oven gas(COG)injection were investigated.The results showed that the CS of the CVTP decreases and the porosity of the CVTP increases with increasing amount of Cr2O3 added.The Cr2O3 mainly exists in the form of(Cr,Fe)2O3 solid solution in the CVTP and as Fe-Cr in the reduced CVTP.The CS of the reduced CVTP increases and the RSI of the reduced CVTP decreases with increasing amount of Cr2O3 added.The limited aggregation and diffusion of metallic iron contribute to the formation of dense lamellar crystals,which leads to the slight decrease for reduction swelling behavior of reduced CVTP.This work provides a theoretical and technical basis for the utilization of CVTP and other Cr-bearing ores such as chromite with COG recycling technology.

Numerical simulation of the direct reduction of pellets in a rotary hearth furnace for zinc-containing metallurgical dust treatment

A mathematical model was established to describe the direct reduction of pellets in a rotary hearth furnace （RHF）. In the model, heat transfer, mass transfer, and gas-solid chemical reactions were taken into account. The behaviors of iron metallization and dezincification were analyzed by the numerical method, which was validated by experimental data of the direct reduction of pellets in a Si-Mo furnace. The simulation results show that if the production targets of iron metallization and dezincification are up to 80% and 90%, respectively, the furnace temperature for high-temperature sections must be set higher than 1300~ C. Moreover, an undersupply of secondary air by 20% will lead to a decline in iron metallization rate of discharged pellets by 10% and a decrease in dezincing rate by 13%. In addition, if the residence time of pellets in the furnace is over 20 min, its further extension will hardly lead to an obvious increase in production indexes under the same furnace temperature curve.

Effects of smelting parameters on the slag/metal separation behaviors of Hongge vanadium-bearing titanomagnetite metallized pellets obtained from the gas-based direct reduction process

Smelting separations of Hongge vanadium-bearing titanomagnetite metallized pellets（HVTMP）prepared by gas-based direct reduction were investigated,and the effects of smelting parameters on the slag/metal separation behaviors were analyzed.Relevant mechanisms were elucidated using X-ray diffraction analysis,FACTSAGE 7.0 calculations,and scanning electron microscopy observations.The results show that,when the smelting temperature,time,and C/O ratio are increased,the recoveries of V and Cr of HVTMP in pig iron are improved,the recovery of Fe initially increases and subsequently decreases,and the recovery of Ti O_2 in slag decreases.When the smelting Ca O/Si O_2 ratio is increased,the recoveries of Fe,V,and Cr in pig iron increase and the recovery of Ti O_2 in slag initially increases and subsequently decreases.The appropriate smelting separation parameters for HVTMP are as follows：smelting temperature of 1873 K;smelting time of 30–50 min;C/O ratio of 1.25;and Ca O/Si O_2 ratio of 0.50.With these optimized parameters（smelting time：30 min）,the recoveries of Fe,V,Cr,and Ti O_2 are 99.5%,91.24%,92.41%,and 94.86%,respectively.

Reduction kinetics of iron oxide pellets with H_2 and CO mixtures

Reduction of hematite pellets using H2-CO mixtures with a wide range of H2/CO by molar （1：0, 3：1, 1：1, 1：3, and 0：1） at different reducing temperatures （1073, 1173, and 1273 K） was conducted in a program reducing furnace. Based on an unreacted core model, the effective diffusion coefficient and reaction rate constant in several cases were determined, and then the rate-control step and transition were analyzed. In the results, the effective diffusion coefficient and reaction rate constant increase with the rise in temperature or hydrogen content. Reduction of iron oxide pellets using an H2-CO mixture is a compound control system; the reaction rate is dominated by chemical reaction at the very beginning, competition during the reduction process subsequently, and internal gas diffusion at the end. At low hydrogen content, increasing temperature takes the transition point of the rate-control step to a high reduction degree, but at high hydrogen content, the effect of temperature on the transition point weakens.

Beneficiation of Titanium Oxides From Ilmenite by Self-Reduction of Coal Bearing Pellets

The study on the beneficiation of titanium oxides from Panzhihua ilmenites by reduction of coal bearing pellets was carried out. The iron oxides in pellets were efficiently reduced to metal iron, and titanium oxide slag beneficiated was separated from metal iron. The effect of temperature, flux and coal blending ratio on the reduction and separation was investigated, and rational parameters were determined. A new process for the beneficiation of titanium oxides by rotary hearth furnace （RHF） was proposed.