Application of Biomass Pellets for Iron Ore Sintering

Abstract

The use of biomass as fuel might solve several technological and environmental issues and overcome certain challenges of sinter production. In particular, as revealed by comprehensive analyses, biomass can be used as fuel for iron ore sintering. In this study, we investigate the use of some raw and pyrolysis-processed biomass pellet types, namely wood, sunflower husks (SFH), and straw, for iron ore sintering. In the experiments, the pyrolysis temperature was set to 673, 873, 1073, and 1273 K, and the proportion of biomass in the fuel composition was set to 25%. It was established that the addition of biofuels to the sintering blend leads to an increase in the gas permeability of the sintered layer. The analysis of the complex characteristics of the sintering process and the sinter strength showed the high potential of wood and sunflower husk pellets pyrolyzed at 1073 and 873 K, respectively, for iron ore sintering. The analysis of the macrostructure of the sinter samples obtained using biomaterials revealed that with higher pyrolysis temperatures; the materials tend to have greater sizes and higher amounts of pores and cracks. The composition analyses of the resultant sinters revealed that with higher temperature, the FeO content of the sinters tends to increase.

Metallurgical Properties of Biocarbon in Ferroalloy Production─A Review

“…It was also suggested that the crucial characteristic of these biomaterials used as fuel for sintering is their bulk density, which determines the thermal parameters of the sintering process, as well as the resulting sinter structure to a large extent. Other studies − also had the similar conclusion that the optimal amount of biofuel additive mixed with coke breeze is 20–30%. These findings are instructive for the application of biochar in manganese ore sintering.…”

Application of Sunflower Husk Pellet as a Reducer in Metallurgical Processes

“…In addition, advanced studies on the application of various biofuels in metallurgical processes are being conducted. In the case of sunflower husk pellet, the available data are limited and only refer to its use as a carboniferous material in the process of iron ore sintering [41][42][43].…”

Metallurgical Coke Production with Biomass Additives: Study of Biocoke Properties for Blast Furnace and Submerged Arc Furnace Purposes

“…Applying bio-based materials in metallurgical processes greatly impacts the total costs, energy consumption, operation stability, and, ultimately, final product quality. It is well known in the literature that biomass can be used in cokemaking [ 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 ], iron ore sintering [ 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 ], iron ore pellets production [ 28 , 29 ], and ironmaking [ 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 ].…”