Ore-blending optimization model for sintering process based on characteristics of iron ores

An ore-blending optimization model for the sintering process is an intelligent system that includes iron ore characteristics, expert knowledge and material balance. In the present work, 14 indices are proposed to represent chemical composition, granulating properties and high temperature properties of iron ores. After the relationships between iron ore characteristics and sintering performance are established, the ＂two-step＂ method and the simplex method are introduced to build the model by distinguishing the calculation of optimized blending proportion of iron ores from that of other sintering materials in order to improve calculation efficiency. The ore-blending optimization model, programmed by Access and Visual Basic, is applied to practical production in steel mills and the results prove that the present model can take advantage of the available iron ore resource with stable sinter yield and quality performance but at a lower cost.

High-temperature performance prediction of iron ore fines and the ore-blending programming problem in sintering

The high-temperature performance of iron ore fmes is an important factor in optimizing ore blending in sintering. However, the application of linear regression analysis and the linear combination method in most other studies always leads to a large deviation from the desired results. In this study, the fuzzy membership functions of the assimilation ability temperature and the liquid fluidity were proposed based on the fuzzy mathematics theory to construct a model for predicting the high-temperature performance of mixed iron ore. Comparisons of the prediction model and experimental results were presented. The results illustrate that the prediction model is more accurate and effective than previously developed models. In addition, fuzzy constraints for the high-temperature performance of iron ore in this research make the results of ore blending more comparable. A solution for the quantitative calculation as well as the programming of fuzzy constraints is also introduced.

Basic characteristics of Australian iron ore concentrate and its effects on sinter properties during the high-limonite sintering process

The basic characteristics of Australian iron ore concentrate (Ore-A) and its effects on sinter properties during a high-limonite sintering process were studied using micro-sinter and sinter pot methods. The results show that the Ore-A exhibits good granulation properties, strong liquid flow capability, high bonding phase strength and crystal strength, but poor assimilability. With increasing Ore-A ratio, the tumbler index and the reduction index (RI) of the sinter first increase and then decrease, whereas the softening interval (Delta T) and the softening start temperature (T (10%)) of the sinter exhibit the opposite behavior; the reduction degradation index (RDI+3.15) of the sinter increases linearly, but the sinter yield exhibits no obvious effects. With increasing Ore-A ratio, the distribution and crystallization of the minerals are improved, the main bonding phase first changes from silico-ferrite of calcium and aluminum (SFCA) to kirschsteinite, silicate, and SFCA and then transforms to 2CaO center dot SiO2 and SFCA. Given the utilization of Ore-A and the improvement of the sinter properties, the Ore-A ratio in the high-limonite sintering process is suggested to be controlled at approximately 6wt%.

NO_x reduction by coupling combustion with recycling flue gas in iron ore sintering process

A new process called＇NOx reduction by coupling combustion with recycling flue gas（RCCRF）＇was proposed to decrease NOx emission during the iron ore sintering process.The simulation test of NOx reduction was performed over sintered ore and in the process of coke combustion.Experimentally,NOx reduction was also carried out by sintering pot test.For sintered ore,the amount of NOx emission is reduced by 15wt%-25wt% at 400-550oC using 2.0vol% H2 or 2.0vol% CO,or reduced by 10wt%-30wt% at 560-720oC using 0.15vol% NH3.NOx reduction is around 10wt% by coupling combustion of pyrolysis gas and coke,or around 16wt% by recycling flue gas into coke combustion.By RCCRF,the maximum NOx reduction ratio is about 23wt% in coke combustion experiment and over 40wt% in sintering pot test.

Effects of particle characteristics on the granulation ability of iron ores during the sintering process

The granulation behavior of iron ores is essential for subsequent parameter optimization and efficient granulation, especially under changing material conditions. In this study, the effects of surface properties and particle size were analyzed using a laboratory granulation method; an estimation of the granulation of sintering blends was subsequently conducted for the base ores. Circularity and porosity were observed to negatively affect the granulation of iron ores, whereas wettability positively affected the granulation and was the most influential factor, indicating that wetting of iron ores is desirable during granulation. When iron ores with complex size distributions were granulated, the equivalent surface area was the main influencing factor for coarse particles larger than 1 mm and the ratio of adhering fines to intermediates was the main factor for fine particles smaller than 1 mm. By combining the granulation of coarse and fine particles with their proportioning, we proposed a calculation method for estimating the granulation ability of sintering blends. Good verification was demonstrated with the designed schemes. The results suggest that the developed method is effective for predicting the granulation of iron ore mixtures.

Influence of gangue existing states in iron ores on the formation and flow of liquid phase during sintering

Gangue existing states largely affect the high-temperature characteristics of iron ores. Using a micro-sintering method and scan- ning electron microscopy, the effects of gangue content, gangue type, and gangue size on the assimilation characteristics and fluidity of liquid phase of five different iron ores were analyzed in this study. Next, the mechanism based on the reaction between gangues and sintering mate- dais was unraveled. The results show that, as the SiO2 levels increase in the iron ores, the lowest assimilation temperature （LAT） decreases, whereas the index of fluidity of liquid phase （IFL） increases. Below 1.5wt%, Al2O3 benefits the assimilation reaction, but higher concentra- tions proved detrimental. Larger quartz particles increase the SiO2 levels at the local reaction interface between the iron ore and CaO, thereby reducing the LAT. Quartz-gibbsite is more conductive to assimilation than kaolin. Quartz-gibbsite and kaolin gangues encourage the forma- tion of liquid-phase low-Al2O3-SFCA with high IFL and high-Al2O3-SFCA with low IFL, respectively.

Influencing factors and mechanism of water absorption process of iron ores during sintering

The appropriate content and distribution of sinter moisture play an important role in the granulation of iron ores. In this study, the effects of porosity, size distribution, and particle shape on the water absorption rate （WAR） of four types of iron ores were analyzed by using the immersion method and capillary water absorption method. In addition, the mechanism underlying the water absorption process in iron ores was unraveled. It is found that the WARs of iron ores decrease quickly with the increase in water absorption time at the initial stages of water absorption. With further increase in absorption time, the WARs decrease gradually, until near 0. Iron ores with higher porosity, smaller particle size, and plate-like structure have the higher WARs. Compared with pores in the single-particle iron ore, voids among particles in the multi-particle iron oxide play an important role at the initial stages of water absorption. The water absorption mechanism of all single-particle and multi-particle iron ores analyzed in this study includes four steps, wherein the first three steps play a significant role in the sintering pro-cess.

Calcium ferrite formation characteristic during iron ore sintering with different oxygen atmospheres

It is generally known that the large formation amount of calcium ferrite is favorable for the iron ore sintering. The effects of sintering temperature and O2 content of inlet gas on the calcium ferrite formation characteristic of typical iron ores, including hematite, limonite, specularite and magnetite, were investigated. And the effect of O2 content on the microstructure of the roasted briquettes was also studied in detail. The results show the amount of calcium ferrite initially increases then decreases with the increase of the sintering temperature. The temperature of maximum calcium ferrite generation amount is determined as follows： for hematite and limonite it is 1275 ~C, whereas for specularite and magnetite, 1250℃. The maximum contents of calcium ferrite for hematite, limonite, specularite and magnetite under the optimal sintering temperature are 73%, 82%, 67% and 63%, respectively. Increasing O2 content of the airflow is advantageous to the formation of calcium ferrite. Relatively, the effect of O2 content on the calcium ferrite formation of magnetite is the most pronounced, while O2 content of inlet gas has little effect on the calcium ferrite formation of limonite.

Acting mechanism of F,K,and Na in the solid phase sintering reaction of the Baiyunebo iron ore

The effect of F,K,and Na on the solid phase reaction of the Baiyunebo iron ore was investigated by differential thermal analysis （DTA） and X-ray diffraction（XRD）.It has been identified that alkaline elements K and Na in the Baiyunebo ore instigate the formation of low melting point compounds Na2SiO3 and Na2O·Fe2O3 and the generation of molten state in the solid phase sintering.Element F in the Baiyunebo ore facilitates the formation of cuspidine compound 3CaO·2SiO2·CaF2 in the solid phase reaction.The cuspidine compound is kept in solid as one of the final products through the entire sintering process due to its high melting point.In the sintering process,CaF2and SiO2 react with CaO first and form 3CaO·2SiO2·CaF2 and 3CaO·2SiO2,so the formation of ferrites,Na2O·Fe2O3,and 2CaO·Fe2O3 is inhibited.

Application of Intra-Particle Combustion Model for Iron Ore Sintering Bed

In order to quantitatively predict the behavior of the material in the packed bed, a single particle model is developed to describe the combustion and sintering process inside an individual particle composed of multiple solid material fines, including iron ore, coke and limestone, and is applied to the combustion modeling of an iron ore sintering. Byanalyzing three typical fuel distribution cases using the developed single particle combustion model, the effects of temperature and oxygen concentration gradient inside the particle on heat and mass transfer and the combustion behavior of the iron ore sintering process areinvestigated. Considering the various combustion rates which are highly dependent on the fuel distribution methods, correction factor for single particle model is also introduced and systematically analyzed. The aim of this research is to supplement particle technology to conventional approach and it is found that the oxygen concentration gradient inside the particle is significantly affected from the mixing method thereby changing the completion times of sintering process.

A pilot-scale study of selective desulfurization via urea addition in iron ore sintering

The iron ore sintering process is the main source of SO_2 emissions in the iron and steel industry. In our previous research, we proposed a novel technology for reducing SO_2 emissions in the flue gas in the iron ore sintering process by adding urea at a given distance from the sintering grate bar. In this paper, a pilot-scale experiment was carried out in a commercial sintering plant. The results showed that, compared to the SO_2 concentration in flue gas without urea addition, the SO_2 concentration decreased substantially from 694.2 to 108.0 mg/m^3 when 0.10wt% urea was added. NH_3 decomposed by urea reacted with SO_2 to produce（NH_4）_2SO_4, decreasing the SO_2 concentration in the flue gas.

Fundamental study on iron ore sintering new process of flue gas recirculation together with using biochar as fuel

It is of great significance for cleaner production to substitute bio-energy for fossil fuels in iron ore sintering. However, with the replacement ratio increasing, the consistency of heat front and flame front is broken, and the thermal utilizing efficiency of fuel is reduced, which results in the decrease of yield and tumble index of sinter. Circulating flue gas to sintering bed as biochar replacing 40% coke, CO in flue gas can be reused so as to increase the thermal utilizing efficiency of fuels, and the consistency of two fronts is recovered for the circulating flue gas containing certain CO2, H2 O and lower O2, which contributes to increasing the maximum temperature, extending the high temperature duration time of sintering bed, and results in improving the output and quality of sinter. In the condition of circulating 40% flue gas, the sintering with biomass fuels is strengthened, and the sintering indexes with biomass fuel replacing 40% coke breeze are comparative to those of using coke breeze completely.

Influencing factor of sinter body strength and its effects on iron ore sintering indexes

Sinter body strength, which reflects the strength of sinter, plays an important role in the improvement of sinter. In this study, the sinter body strengths of iron ores were measured using a microsintering method. The relationship between the chemical composition and sinter body strength was discussed. Moreover, sinter-pot tests were performed. The effects of sinter body strength on the sintering indexes were then elucidated, and the bottom limit of sinter body strength of blending ores was confirmed. In the results, the compressive strengths（CSs） of iron ores are observed to decrease with the increasing of the contents of loss on ignition（LOI）, SiO 2, and Al2O3; however, LOI of less than 3wt% does not substantially influence the CSs of fine ores. In the case of similar mineral composition, the porosity, in particular, the ratio between the number of large pores and the total number of pores, strongly influences the sinter body strength. With an increase of the blending-ore CSs used in sinter-pot tests, the yield, productivity, and tumbler strength increase, and the solid fuel consumption decreases. The CSs of the blending ores only slightly affect the sintering time. The CS bottom limit of the blending ores is 310 N. When the CSs of the blending ores increase by 10%, the yield, productivity, and tumbler index increase by 1.9%, 2.8%, and 2.0%, respectively, and the solid fuel consumption decreases by 1.9%.

Influence of coke rate on thermal treatment of waste selective catalytic reduction(SCR)catalyst during iron ore sintering

Waste selective catalytic reduction(SCR)catalyst as a hazardous waste has a significant impact on the environment and human health.In present study,a novel technology for thermal treatment of waste SCR catalyst was proposed by adding it to sinter mix for iron ore sintering.The influences of coke rate on the flame front propagation,sinter microstructure,and sinter quality during sintering co-processing the waste SCR catalyst process were studied.In situ tests results indicated the maximum sintering bed temperature increased at higher coke rate,indicating more liquid phase generated and higher airflow resistance.The sintering time was longer and the calculated flame front speed dropped at higher coke rate.Sinter microstructure results found the coalescence and reshaping of bubbles were more fully with increasing coke rate.The porosity dropped from 35.28%to 25.66%,the pore average diameter of large pores decreased from 383.76μm to 311.43μm.With increasing coke rate,the sinter indexes of tumbler index,productivity,and yield,increased from 33.2%,9.2 t·m^(-2)·d^(-1),28.9%to 58.0%,36.0 t·m^(-2)·d^(-1),68.9%,respectively.Finally,a comprehensive index was introduced to systematically assess the influence of coke rate on sinter quality,which rose from 100 to 200 when coke rate was increased from 3.5%(mass)to 5.5%(mass).

Present situation and development of saving energy and reducing emission technology in iron ore sintering process

The energy consumption of iron ore sintering process is about 10%- 15%of the total of iron and steel industry.Therefore,it is of great significance to take effective measures to reduce the energy consumption in the iron ore sintering process to reduce the costs of sintering product and cut down the emissions of harmful gases,such as CO_2 and SO_2.In this study,the technology development of saving energy and reducing emission in iron ore sintering process was reviewed and discussed;some new directions and measures of saving energy were presented for the sintering process in the future.

Destruction and removal efficiency of PICs by various iron ores during sintering-exploratory testing

Worldwide,iron ore sintering is the largest industrial single source of dioxin emissions^(1-3).Conversely, some ores may help in reducing emissions,because of their aptitude of(a) adsorbing and(b) oxidising or decomposing TOC and dioxins^(4,5).Such dioxin abatement abilities were tested for five types of ores,representing major ore origins(Australia,Brazil,and South Africa ),minerals(magnetite,haematite,goethite,pisolite ),and properties,e.g.porosity,and Loss on Ignition(LOI) values.In total,11 exploratory experimental runs were conducted on iron ores,to test the oxidation in air of four different organic trace test substances:acetone, chloroform,n-hexane,and toluene contained in a test gas were led simultaneously over the ore over a preestablished temperature program.Each test comprehends a first part with a programmed temperature rise,a brief soaking period at the temperature maximum(>400℃),and a ballistic cooling part.The concentration of the four organics is continuously monitored by Mass Spectrometry(MS) operating in a full-scan mode(m/e < 100). Exploratory experiments allowed differentiating the ores tested according to the Destruction & Removal Efficiency(DRE) attained.To check the results the products of oxidation in the effluent were sampled on Tenax and identified.Also,the dioxin load remaining on several test residues was examined and found to be quite limited (pg I-TEQ/g).

Mineralogy of Iron Ores of Different Alumina Levels from Singhbhum Belt and Their Implication on Sintering Process

To increase the life of the mines, ores of lower quality are blended with the higher quality ores. In general, the blending of ores at mines site is controlled by the chemical composition of the ores by controlling the Al2O3 and SiO2 levels on the lowest side possible. However, if there is a change in mineralogy, like an increase in hydrous phase the composition may still be the same, but this difference may affect the sinterability and sinter quality. The mineralogical investigation of iron ores and their chemistry are required to avoid the increase in deleterious elements during sintering. By the know-how of the behavior of individual iron ores in terms of their sinterability, in advance, the quality of the iron ores blend can be optimized to produce quality sinter and productivity. Characterisation studies conducted on iron ores of Singhbhum Orissa belt revealed that hematite, goethite, clay, gibbsite and quartz occur in all the iron ore samples but in variable proportions. Traces of alumina, present as solid solution in the iron oxide minerals, has also contributed Al2O3 to the ores.

Disposal of zinc extraction residues via iron ore sintering process:an innovative resource utilization

Zinc extraction residue,a solid waste generated from the treatment of zinc-containing dust in rotary kilns,is commonly stockpiled in steel companies for extended periods.It poses significant disposal challenges and environmental pollution risks.So far,research on the treatment of zinc extraction residues has been slow,inadequate,and sporadic.For this gap,a novel approach was proposed to effectively treat the zinc extraction residue via the iron ore sintering process.It was feasible to add 1 wt.%of zinc extraction residues to the sintering raw materials.The more adequate mineralization reaction resulted in higher yield and tumbler indexes,despite a slight decrease in sintering speed.Although this may result in a slight decrease in sintering speed,the more complete mineralization reaction leads to improved sintering yield and tumbler index.Interestingly,the addition of zinc extraction residues reduced the CO and NO_(x) concentrations in the sintering flue gas.Thus,the iron ore sintering process provided a viable solution for resource utilization and environmentally friendly treatment of zinc extraction residues.

Super-high bed sintering for iron ores:problems ascertainment

Super-high bed sintering process is an important development direction of iron ore sintering for its lower emission and higher yield.However,there is a lack of deep understanding of the uneven quality of super-high bed sintering products,and the deterioration of reduction disintegration performance,the thickening of hearth layer and the reduction in energy-saving effect are perplexing enterprises and researchers.To ascertain the problems of super-high bed sintering,ten sintering machines with the areas of 265,280,360,550 and 660 m^(2)and bed depth above 900 mm were sampled and analyzed.The results showed that problems were mainly shown in the unevenness of chemical composition,macrostructure,mechanical strength and metallurgical performance.The chemical composition exhibits severe segregation in both horizontal and vertical directions,with basicity segregation reaching as high as 0.81.The uneven macrostructure of sinter is reflected in a 10%difference in porosity and mechanical strength increase in 16%–19%along the vertical direction.The reducibility and reduction disintegration performance gradually deteriorate along the bed depth,with a difference of 10.5%in reducibility and 7.3%in RDI−0.5 mm(reduction disintegration index of sinter with size smaller than 0.5 mm).

Super-high bed sintering for iron ores: inhomogeneous phenomena and its mechanism during mineralizing

The inhomogeneous sinter properties in super-high bed sintering have been reported in our previous research.To inves-tigate the reasons for the inhomogeneous phenomena,detailed sampling and analysis of mixed material bed and sintered bed in super-high bed sintering plant were executed.The results indicated that the higher porosity and thinner dendrite of silico-ferrite of calcium and aluminum in the upper layer as well as dense structure and higher secondary hematite content in the lower layer led to the heterogeneities of mechanical strength and reduction properties exceeding 20%and 10%,respectively.From the bed top downward,the basicity of mixed material decreased from 2.13 to 1.68 because the average particle size increased from 2.65 to 4.56 mm.Fluxes and fuels gathered in finer particles(-3 mm)of mixed material,and the-3 mm particles of mixed material generated more liquid phase than+3 mm ones.The heat input of super-high sintering bed was inhomogeneous due to the heat accumulation effect and unreasonable fuel distribution.The inhomo-geneous sintering heat condition in sintering bed resulted in the different quantities and properties of liquid phase.The inhomogeneous quantities and properties of liquid phase that were influenced by inhomogeneous distribution of chemical composition,particle size,and heat input led to inhomogeneous mineralizing results.Homogeneous mineralizing condition is the key for homogeneous super-high bed sintering.