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.

Basic properties of steel plant dust and technological properties of direct reduction

Basic physicochemical properties of the dust from Laiwu Iron and Steel Co. Ltd. were studied. It is found that C, Zn, K, Na, etc. exist in the fabric filter dust, off gas （OG） sludge, fine ash in converter, and electrical field dust in sinter. Among these, OG sludge gives the finest particle, more than 90% of which is less than 2.51 mm. The dust can lead to a serious negative influence on the production of sintering and blast furnaces （BF） if it is recycled in sintering. The briquette and reduction experimental results showed that the qualified strength could be obtained in the case of 8wt% molasses or 4wt% QT-10 added as binders. Also, more than 75% of metallization ratio, more than 95% of dezincing ratio, as well as more than 80% of K and Na removal rates were achieved for the briquettes kept at 1250℃ for 15 min during the direct reduction process. SEM observation indicated that the rates of indirect reduction and carbonization became dominating when the bri-quettes were kept at 1250℃ for 6 min.

Generation process of FeS and its inhibition mechanism on iron mineral reduction in selective direct reduction of laterite nickel ore

Numerous studies have demonstrated that Na2SO4 can significantly inhibit the reduction of iron oxide in the selective reduction process of laterite nickel ore. FeS generated in the process plays an important role in selective reduction, but the generation process of FeS and its inhibition mechanism on iron reduction are not clear. To figure this out, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy analyses were conducted to study the roasted ore. The results show that when Na2SO4 is added in the roasting, the FeO content in the roasted ore increases accompanied by the emergence of FeS phase. Further analysis indicates that NaeS formed by the reaction of Na2SO4 with CO reacts with SiO2 at the FeO surface to generate FeS and Na2Si2Os. As a result, a thin film forms on the surface of FeO, hindering the contact between reducing gas and FeO. Therefore, the reduction of iron is depressed, and the FeO content in the roasted ore increases.

Direct reduction of iron ore by biomass char

By using thermogravimetric analysis the process and mechanism of iron ore reduced by biomass char were investigated and compared with those reduced by coal and coke. It is found that biomass char has a higher reactivity. The increase of carbon-to-oxygen mole ratio （C/O） can lead to the enhancement of reaction rate and reduction fraction, but cannot change the temperature and trend of each reaction. The reaction temperature of hematite reduced by biomass char is at least 100 K lower than that reduced by coal and coke, the maximum reaction rate is 1.57 times as high as that of coal, and the final reaction fraction is much higher. Model calculation indicates that the use of burden composed of biomass char and iron ore for blast furnaces can probably decrease the temperature of the thermal reserve zone and reduce the CO equilibrium concentration.

Staged reaction kinetics and characteristics of iron oxide direct reduction by carbon

Staged reduction kinetics and characteristics of iron oxide direct reduction by carbon were studied in this work. The characteristics were investigated by simultaneous thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction（XRD）, and quadrupole mass spectrometry. The kinetics parameters of the reduction stages were obtained by isoconversional（model-free） methods. Three stages in the reduction are Fe2O3→Fe3O4, Fe3O4→Fe O, and Fe O→Fe, which start at 912 K, 1255 K, and 1397 K, respectively. The CO content in the evolved gas is lower than the CO2content in the Fe2O3→Fe3O4stage but is substantially greater than the CO2 contents in the Fe3O4→Fe O and Fe O→Fe stages, where gasification starts at approximately 1205 K. The activation energy（E） of the three stages are 126–309 k J/mol, 628 k J/mol, and 648 k J/mol, respectively. The restrictive step of the total reduction is Fe O→Fe. If the rate of the total reduction is to be improved, the rate of the Fe O→Fe reduction should be improved first. The activation energy of the first stage is much lower than those of the latter two stages because of carbon gasification. Carbon gasification and FexOy reduction by CO, which are the restrictive step in the last two stages, require further study.

Preparation of novel Ni-Ir/γ-Al_2O_3 catalyst via high-frequency cold plasma direct reduction process

The novel Ni-Ir/γ-Al2O3 catalyst, denoted as NIA-P, was prepared by high-frequency cold plasma direct reduction method under ambient conditions without thermal treatment, and the conventional sample, denoted as NIA-CR, was prepared by impregnation, thermal calcination, and then by H2 reduction method. The effects of reduction methods on the catalysts for ammonia decomposition were studied, and they were characterized by XRD, N2 adsorption, XPS, and H2-TPD. It was found that the plasma-reduced NIA-P sample showed a better catalytic performance, over which ammonia conversion was 68.9%, at T = 450℃, P = 1 atm, and GHSV = 30, 000 h^-1. It was 31.7% higher than that of the conventional NIA-CR sample. XRD results showed that the crystallite size decreased for the sample with plasma reduction, and the dispersion of active components was improved. There were more active components on the surface of the NIA-P sample from the XPS results. This effect resulted in the higher activity for decomposition of ammonia. Meanwhile, the plasma process significantly decreased the time of preparing catalyst.

Recovery of iron from copper tailings via low-temperature direct reduction and magnetic separation: process optimization and mineralogical study

Currently, the majority of copper tailings are not effectively developed. Worldwide, large amounts of copper tailings generated from copper production are continuously dumped, posing a potential environmental threat. Herein, the recovery of iron from copper tailings via low-temperature direct reduction and magnetic separation was conducted; process optimization was carried out, and the corresponding mineralogy was investigated. The reduction time, reduction temperature, reducing agent (coal), calcium chloride additive, grinding time, and magnetic field intensity were examined for process optimization. Mineralogical analyses of the sample, reduced pellets, and magnetic concentrate under various conditions were performed by X-ray diffraction, optical microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy-energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry to elucidate the iron reduction and growth mechanisms. The results indicated that the optimum parameters of iron recovery include a reduction temperature of 1150A degrees C, a reduction time of 120 min, a coal dosage of 25%, a calcium chloride dosage of 2.5%, a magnetic field intensity of 100 mT, and a grinding time of 1 min. Under these conditions, the iron grade in the magnetic concentrate was greater than 90%, with an iron recovery ratio greater than 95%.

Hydrogen-based direct reduction of iron oxide at 700℃:Heterogeneity at pellet and microstructure scales

Steel production causes a third of all industrial CO_(2) emissions due to the use of carbon-based substances as reductants for iron ores,making it a key driver of global warming.Therefore,research efforts aim to replace these reductants with sustainably produced hydrogen.Hydrogen-based direct reduction(HyDR)is an attractive processing technology,given that direct reduction(DR)furnaces are routinely operated in the steel industry but with CH_(4) or CO as reductants.Hydrogen diffuses considerably faster through shaft-furnace pellet agglomerates than carbon-based reductants.However,the net reduction kinetics in HyDR remains extremely sluggish for high-quantity steel production,and the hydrogen consumption exceeds the stoichiometrically required amount substantially.Thus,the present study focused on the improved understanding of the influence of spatial gradients,morphology,and internal microstructures of ore pellets on reduction efficiency and metallization during HyDR.For this purpose,commercial DR pellets were investigated using synchrotron high-energy X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy in conjunction with electron backscatter diffraction and chemical probing.Revealing the interplay of different phases with internal interfaces,free surfaces,and associated nucleation and growth mechanisms provides a basis for developing tailored ore pellets that are highly suited for a fast and efficient HyDR.

Mathematical simulation of direct reduction process in zinc-bearing pellets

A one-dimensional unsteady mathematical model was established to describe direct reduction in a composite pellet made of metallurgical dust. The model considered heat transfer, mass transfer, and chemical reactions including iron oxide reductions, zinc oxide reduction and carbon gasification, and it was numerically solved by the tridiagonal matrix algorithm （TDMA）. In order to verify the model, an experiment was performed, in which the profiles of temperature and zinc removal rate were measured during the reduction process. Results calculated by the mathematical model were in fairly good agreement with experimental data. Finally, the effects of furnace temperature, pellet size, and carbon content were investigated by model calculations. It is found that the pellet temperature curve can be divided into four parts according to heating rate. Also, the zinc removal rate increases with the increase of furnace temperature and the decrease of pellet size, and carbon content in the pellet has little influence on the zinc removal rate.

Mathematical model of the direct reduction of dust composite pellets containing zinc and iron

Direct reduction of dust composite pellets containing zinc and iron was examined by simulating the conditions of actual production process of a rotary hearth furnace （RHF） in laboratory. A mathematical model was constructed to study the reduction kinetics of iron oxides and ZnO in the dust composite pellets. It was validated by comparing the calculated values with experimental results. The effects of furnace temperature, pellet radius, and pellet porosity on the reduction were investigated by the model. It is shown that furnace temperature has obvious influence on both of the reduction of iron oxides and ZnO, but the influence of pellet radius and porosity is much smaller. Model calculations suggest that both of the reduction of iron oxides and ZnO are under mixed control with interface reactions and Boudouard reaction in the early stage, but only with interface reactions in the later stage.

Comprehensive recovery of lead, zinc, and iron from hazardous jarosite residues using direct reduction followed by magnetic separation

Lead, zinc, and iron were recovered from jarosite residues using direct reduction followed by magnetic separation. The influence of the coal dosage, reduction temperature, and reduction time on the volatilization rates of lead and zinc and the metallization rate of iron were investigated. The results show that the volatilization rates of lead and zinc were 96.97% and 99.89%, respectively, and the iron metallization rate was 91.97% under the optimal reduction roasting conditions of a coal dosage of 25.0 wt% and reduction roasting at 1250°C for 60 min. The magnetic concentrate with an iron content of 90.59 wt% and an iron recovery rate of 50.87% was obtained under the optimum conditions in which 96.56% of the reduction product particles were smaller than 37 μm and the magnetic field strength was 24 k A/m. Therefore, the results of this study demonstrate that recovering valuable metals such as lead, zinc, and iron from jarosite residues is feasible using the developed approach.

Direct Reduction Process of Pellet Containing Carbon with Addition of Zn-Pb-Bearing Iron and Steel Plant Dust

The study on direct reduction process of pellet containing carbon with the addition of Zn-Pb-bearing iron and steel plant dust shows that the reduction time and pellet basicity have obvious effect on the evaporation of lead and final metallization degree of pellet.The reduction temperature has significantl influences on the lead and zinc evaporation ratios and on final metallization degree of pellet. The optimum process parameters obtained are reduction temperature of 1 250 ℃,reduction time of 25 min and pellet basicity of 0.9.

Factor analysis on the purity of magnesium titanate directly prepared from seashore titanomagnetite concentrate through direct reduction

Magnesium titanate was prepared directly through external coal reduction of seashore titanomagnetite concentrate and magnesium oxide(MgO).The effects of roasting temperature and the type and dosage of reductants on the purity of generated magnesium titanate particles were systematically investigated.Scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive spectroscopy analyses were performed to characterize the magnesium titanate particles and observe their purity under different conditions.Results showed that the roasting temperature remarkably influenced the purity of magnesium titanate.At 1200,1300,and 1400℃,some magnesium ferrite and magnesium aluminate spinel were dissolved in magnesium titanate.However,as the roasting temperature increased to 1500℃,relatively pure magnesium titanate particles were generated because no magnesium ferrite was dissolved in them.The type and dosage of the reductants also remarkably affected the purity of magnesium titanate.The amount of fine metallic iron disseminated in the magnesium titanate particles obviously decreased when lignite was used as a reductant at a dosage of 70wt%.Thus,high-purity magnesium titanate particles formed.At a roasting temperature of 1500℃and with 70wt%lignite,the magnesium titanate product with a yield of 30.63%and an iron content of 3.01wt%was obtained through magnetic separation.

Approximate direct reduction method:infinite series reductions to the perturbed mKdV equation

The approximate direct reduction method is applied to the perturbed mKdV equation with weak fourth order dispersion and weak dissipation. The similarity reduction solutions of different orders conform to formal coherence, accounting for infinite series reduction solutions to the original equation and general formulas of similarity reduction equations. Painleve Ⅱ type equations, hyperbolic secant and Jacobi elliptic function solutions are obtained for zeroorder similarity reduction equations. Higher order similarity reduction equations are linear variable coefficient ordinary differential equations.

Slag Resistance of Refractories for Direct Reduction of Laterite Nickel Ores in Rotary Kilns

Aiming at prolonging the service life of refractories for direct reduction of laterite nickel ores in rotary kilns,the slag resistance of ten materials(corundum bricks,chrome corundum bricks,silicon nitride bonded silicon carbide bricks,high alumina silicon carbide bricks,high alumina bricks,magnesia chrome bricks,magnesium aluminate spinel bricks,spinel chrome corundum bricks,chrome corundum castables and magnesia alumina chrome composite spinel bricks)was evaluated by rotary slag tests,which simulate the service conditions in rotary kilns.The corroded residual bricks were analyzed by SEM and EDS.The results show that the magnesia alumina chrome composite spinel brick possesses the advantages of magnesium aluminate spinel bricks and chrome corundum bricks;MgO-rich spinel can absorb the penetrated ferric oxide,and forms a dense zeylanite layer,which prevents the penetration of the molten laterite nickel ores;therefore,it is an ideal lining of rotary kilns for direct reduction of laterite nickel ores.

Particle agglomeration behavior in fluidized bed during direct reduction of iron oxide by CO/H_(2)mixtures

The agglomeration behavior of particles significantly impacts on the defluidization occurring in a fluidized bed during the direct reduction process.The influence of CO/H_(2)ratio on surface diffusion of iron atoms was proposed,and the solid bridge force between iron oxide particles was quantificationally analyzed.Moreover,the solid bridge force was successfully added into a CFD–DEM(computational fluid dynamics–discrete element method)model combined with heat transfer and mass transport to investigate the detailed information of agglomeration in a fluidized bed,including the spatial distribution of temperature,velocity and metallization of iron oxide particles.The region of defluidization is sensitive to the reduction temperature.At the same reduction temperature,the iron oxide powder will perform higher metallization and stable fluidization properties with molar fraction of H_(2)in the range of 0.6–0.8,when iron oxide is reduced by CO/H_(2)mixture.

Removal Mechanism of Zn,Pb and Alkalis from Metallurgical Dusts in Direct Reduction Process

The high-temperature tube furnace was applied to simulate the rotary hearth furnace （RHF） for the direct reduction of zinc-bearing dusts from steel plants. The removal mechanism of Zn, Pb and alkalis from cold bonded briquettes made by mixing metallurgical wastes, such as dust from bag house filter, OG sludge, fine converter ash and dust from the third electric field precipitator of the sinter strand, in various proportions was investigated. More than 70% of metallization rate, more than 95% of zinc removal rate, 80% of lead removal, as well as more than 80M of K and Na removal rates were achieved for the briquettes kept at 1473-1603 K for 15 min during the direct reduction process respectively. The soot generated in the direct reduction process was studied by chromatography, X-ray diffraction （XRD） and scanning electron microscopy （SEM）. The results suggested that the main phases of the soot were ZnO, KC1, NaC1 and 4ZnO · ZnC12 · 5H20. Furthermore, the content of Zn reached 64.2 %, which could be used as secondary resources for zinc making. It was concluded that KC1 and NaC1 in secondary dust resulted from the volatilization from the briquettes, whilst ZnO and PbO were produced by the oxidation of Zn or lead vapour from briquettes by direct reduction.

Direct electrochemical reduction of solid vanadium oxide to metal vanadium at low temperature in molten CaCl_2-NaCl

V205 sintered pellets and graphite rods were employed as the cathode and the anode, respectively; a molten CaC12-NaCI salt was used as the electrolyte. Then, V205 was directly reduced to metal vanadium by the Fray-Farthing-Chen （FFC） method at 873 K to realize low-temperature electrolysis. Two typical experimental conditions, electrolysis time and voltage, were taken into account to investigate the current efficiency and remaining oxygen content in electrolyzed products. The composition and microstmcture of the products were charac- terized by X-ray diffraction （XRD） and scanning electron microscopy （SEM）. SEM observations show that a higher voltage （1.8-3.4 V） and a longer electrolysis time （2-5 h） can improve the product quality separately, that is, a lower remaining oxygen content and a more uniform microstructure. The products with an oxygen content of 0.205wt% are successfully obtained below 3.4 V for 10 h. However, the current effi- ciency is low, and further work is required.

Orthogonal Experiments on Direct Reduction of Carbon-bearing Pellets of Bayer Red Mud

To recycle residual iron efficiently in Bayer red mud, three-factor three-level orthogonal experiments on carbon-bearing pellets of Bayer red mud were conducted on the basis of their characteristics. The influences of CaO dosage, temperature and roast- ing time on total iron content and iron recovery of reduced iron powder were studied. Results showed that these factors slightly influenced iron recovery, but significantly influenced total iron content. The principal factor influencing total iron content was CaO dosage, followed by temperature and roasting time. An increase in CaO dosage could decrease total iron content, whereas an increase in temperature and an extension of roasting time could improve total iron content. The reduced iron powder with total iron content of 88.4 l% and iron recovery rate of 97.97% can be obtained under the optimal conditions of temperature of 1 275 ℃, roasting time of 60 min and CaO dosage of 7.5%. The X-ray diffraction （XRD） and scanning electron microscopy （SEM） analyses of the reduced pellets showed that iron minerals in red mud were almost completely reduced to metallic iron. The principal factor influencing the total iron content of reduced iron powder was the grain size of metallic iron particles. An increase in CaO dosage hindered the growth of metallic iron particles, whereas an increase in temperature and an extension of roasting time could neutralise the effect of CaO dosage. Therefore, CaO dosage should be decreased when iron minerals in red mud can be adequately reduced into metallic iron.

Recovery of iron and copper from copper tailings by coal-based direct reduction and magnetic separation

A technique comprising coal-based direct reduction followed by magnetic separation was presented to recover iron and copper from copper slag flotation tailings.Optimal process parameters,such as reductant and additive ratios,reduction temperature,and reduction time,were experimentally determined and found to be as follows：a limestone ratio of 25%,a bitumite ratio of 30%,and reduction roasting at 1473 Kfor 90 min.Under these conditions,copper-bearing iron powders（CIP）with an iron content of 90.11% and copper content of 0.86%,indicating iron and copper recoveries of87.25% and 83.44%respectively,were effectively obtained.Scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy of the CIP revealed that some tiny copper particles were embedded in metal iron and some copper formed alloy with iron,which was difficult to achieve the separation of these two metals.Thus,the copper went into magnetic products by magnetic separation.Adding copper into the steel can produce weathering steel.Therefore,the CIP can be used as an inexpensive raw material for weathering steel.