Pelletization and sintering of New Zealand titanomagnetite ironsand

Direct reduction (DR) of iron ore with hydrogen is a potential route for near-zero CO₂ steelmaking, but vertical shaft DR reactors require that iron ore fines must first be pelletized. This study reports an investigation of the pelletization and subsequent sintering behaviour of titanomagnetite (TTM) ironsand, which is the main iron ore feedstock for New Zealand’s steel industry. Initially green pellets were bound with bentonite and carboxymethyl-cellulose (Peridur), using an average ironsand particle size of 65 µm. The compressive strength of these pellets after sintering at 1200 °C in air for 2 hr was measured to be 976 N, meeting the expected feedstock requirements for a shaft reactor. This strength was attributed to interparticle bonding arising from extensive recrystallisation of titanohematite grains from oxidation of TTM, as well as the formation of a liquid bonding phase due to melting and diffusion of the binders. Building on these results, alternative binders were then explored in order to lower the required sintering temperature. A combination of both organic and inorganic binders was found to deliver optimum performance, wherein carboxymethyl-cellulose based binders provided strength in the green pellets, whilst inorganic binders, such as calcium borate or ground glass, promoted high sintered strengths.