Improved distribution of fuel particles in iron ore sintering process

Abstract

One of the recent areas of progress for better energy utilisation in iron ore sintering process is the distribution pattern of the fuel inside a macroparticle, which is formed with fine particles of iron ore, coke and limestone. Operational parameters for large scale industrial facilities, such as iron ore sintering plant, are commonly selected through a series of elaborate tests. The results of field experience in process improvement are introduced, and a theoretical modelling study is proposed to supplement the experimental based approach with fundamental physics based arguments, which enables predictive computation beyond the limited region of tests and adjustment. A single fuel particle model and a one-dimensional bed combustion model of solid particles are utilised, and the thermal process of combustion and heat transfer is found to be a dominant consideration in the discussions of productivity in the sintering process.