Numerical simulation of flash reduction in a drop tube reactor with variable temperatures

A computational fluid dynamics(CFD)model was developed to accurately predict the flash reduction process,which is considered an efficient alternative ironmaking process.Laboratory-scale experiments were conducted in drop tube reactors to verify the accuracy of the CFD model.The reduction degree of ore particles was selected as a critical indicator of model prediction,and the simulated and experimental results were in good agreement.The influencing factors,including the particle size(20–110μm),peak temperature(1250–1550°C),and reductive atmosphere(H_(2)/CO),were also investigated.The height variation lines indicated that small particles(50μm)had a longer residence time(3.6 s)than large particles.CO provided a longer residence time(~1.29 s)than H_(2)(~1.09 s).However,both the experimental and analytical results showed that the reduction degree of particles in CO was significantly lower than that in H2 atmosphere.The optimum experimental particle size and peak temperature for the preparation of high-quality reduced iron were found to be 50μm and 1350°C in H2 atmosphere,and40μm and 1550°C in CO atmosphere,respectively.

Prediction of density and volume variation of hematite ore particles during in-flight melting and reduction

HIsarna is a promising ironmaking technology to reduce CO2 emission.Information of phase transformation is essential for reaction analysis of the cyclone reactor of the HIsarna process.In addition,data of density and volume of the ore particles are necessary for estimation of the residence time of the particles in the cyclone reactor.Phase transformation of iron ore particles was experimentally studied in a drop-tube furnace under simulated cyclone conditions and compared with thermodynamic calculation.During the pre-reduction process inside the reactor,the mineralogy of iron ore particles transforms sequentially from hematite to sub-oxides.The density changes of the particles during the melting and reduction can be predicted based on the phase composition and temperature.Therefore,density models in the studies were evaluated with reported experimental data of slag.As a result,a more reliable density model was developed to calculate the density of the formed slag containing mainly FeO–Fe2O3.The density and volume of the partially reduced ore particles or melt droplets were estimated based on this model.The results show that the density of the ore particles decreases by 15.1%at most along the progressive reduction process.Furthermore,the model results also indicate that heating,melting and reduction of the ore could lead to 6.63%–9.37%swelling of the particles,which is mostly contributed by thermal expansion.It would result in corresponding variation in velocity of the ore particles or melt droplets during the flight inside the reactor.