Recycling of steel plant mill scale via iron ore pelletisation process

Abstract

Mill scale is an iron oxide waste generated during steelmaking, casting and rolling. Total generation of mill scale at JSWSL is around 150 t/day and contains 60–70%FeO and 30–35%Fe₂O₃. To recover the iron, the mill scale must be smelted in a blast furnace or other reduction furnace; however, it is usually too fine to use without previous agglomeration such as via pellet or sinter mix. JSWSL operates a 4·2 Mtpa pellet plant to produce pellets for Corex and BF ironmaking units. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of mill scale on pellet properties. Detailed laboratory basket trials were conducted using up to 40% of mill scale in the pellet mix. The addition of mill scale up to 10% is considered to provide the optimum balance of chemical, physical and metallurgical properties of the pellet.     

Influence of coke breeze particle size on quality of sinter

Abstract

Iron ore sintering is an extremely complex process involving fuel combustion to generate heat and reducing gases like CO. This heat allows physicochemical, solid and solid–liquid reactions to form liquids of complex components as fuel particles are consumed and cooling processes allow the formation of solid mineral phases. At JSW coke breeze from coke ovens is used as solid fuel in sinter. The properties (size) of the solid fuel play a very important role in determining the sinter microstructural properties and sinter quality. The microstructure of the sinter is a basic necessity and also the first step towards establishing the structural property relationship. Microstructural studies have been carried out to understand the effect of coke breeze particle size on sinter microstructure and sinter properties. The present paper is an attempt to understand and correlate the physical and metallurgical properties of sinter with varying size of the coke breeze particle in sinter mix. It was observed that as the proportion of coke breeze below 3 mm in the sinter mix increased from 53·0 to 90·0% the calcium ferrite phase increased, the number of bigger size pores decreased, and thereby decreased the reduction degradation index (?3·15 mm) of sinter from 39·7 to 23·5%. Superior sinter properties were obtained with the ?3 mm coke breeze size ～90% in the sinter mix.     

Influence of several factors on synthesis of iron carbide from iron ore

Abstract

Iron carbides as alternative pure iron sources were synthesised by thermochemical reactions of iron ores with H₂–CO gas mixtures having low sulphur pressures incapable of forming FeS. It was proved that high quality iron carbides without free carbon can be obtained more effectively at relatively high reaction rates. Some pressurisation was effective in eliminating the detrimental influence of oxidant components in the inlet gas mixtures. Ore type, reaction time, H₂ /CO ratio, sulphur potential, and total gas pressure dependencies on the iron carburisation rates were examined and the rates were analysed using a first order rate model. Comparison shows that the productivity of the proposed process should be almost one order of magnitude greater than that of a conventional Iron Carbide process.     

Microstructural and mechanical characterisation of some sinter hardening alloys and comparisons with heat treated PM steels

Abstract

Four grades of sinter hardening materials have been compared, using industrial equipment. Three powder types were completely prealloyed; the last one was a hybrid, combining prealloying and diffusion bonding. Different amounts of Cu have been added by mixing. The lubricated mixes, containing 0.6% graphite, have been compacted at different pressures, to form gears at green densities ≥7.0 g cm^?3 ; the compacts have been sintered at 1120°C, under endogas from methane and fast cooled (at least 7 K s^?1 within the range 850–400°C). The final step has been stress relieving, at 180°C, for 1 h. Material properties have been investigated, focusing on porosity, pore shape, hardness, microhardness, microstructure, local chemical composition and mechanical properties. For comparison, other gears, compacted in the same tool and at the same density level, but manufactured according to a more conventional cycle, i.e. starting from less alloyed powders and adding carbonitriding, quenching and stress relieving, have been used. The analysis of the different experimental results enabled the authors to find out and outline some criteria suitable for selecting sinter hardening materials and for choosing more reliable manufacturing conditions to fulfill specific application requirements.     

氧化铝对铁矿石烧结质量和生产率的影响(英文)

烧结矿是现代高炉生产的主要含铁原料。合理控制入炉烧结矿的理化性能与冶金性能对高炉生产和稳定操作是很必要的。铁矿粉是烧结矿的主要原料,其化学成分和烧结料层内的热量条件在烧结过程中起着重要的作用。化学成分等参数也决定着烧结矿矿相结构和质量。由于含氧化铝原料的低反应性及其液相的高粘性,因此在人们的预料中高铝矿石对烧结矿结构组成的影响并不好。烧结混合料中的氧化铝在同化过程中需要消耗大量热量,延迟烧结过程。在确保高炉渣的流动性方面,氧化铝也需要消耗较大热量。不论是烧结还是高炉的生产实绩均表明,氧化铝是有害的。一般而言,高含铁量与低脉石的印度矿与其他矿石的不同特点就是氧化铝含量高。由于高品味铁矿石的消耗殆尽,使用可利用的烧结原料成为生产必需。因此,必须要掌握氧化铝的作用及其对烧结矿质量和生产过程的影响。实验室完成了不同氧化铝含量水平(2.00%～5.46%)的实验,可从中了解氧化铝在烧结矿矿物学、生产率、物理性能和冶金性能方面的影响。随着烧结矿中氧化铝含量的增加,残存赤铁矿、复合铁酸钙(SFCA)和孔隙率增加,而磁铁矿和硅酸盐比例下降。烧结生产率和烧结矿转鼓强度(TI)随着氧化铝含量上升而下降,反映烧结矿冶金性能的诸如低温还原粉化率(RDI)和还原率(RI)提高。     

Influence of magnesia on sintering characteristics of iron ore

Abstract

The MgO in blast furnace slag provides an optimum condition in terms of both good flowability and desulphurisation. The mode of its addition to the blast furnace changed from, initially, as raw flux in the form of dolomite, to via sinter, with the argument that raw flux demands energy for its decomposition inside the blast furnace. Thus, the decomposition reaction was diverted from the blast furnace to the sintering bed, and the energy source for decomposition was changed from costly blast furnace coke to a relatively cheap coke breeze. Now olivine/dunite/serpentine is being used as a source of MgO, where energy for decomposition is not required; this also provides a source of SiO₂, which eliminates need for the addition of quartzite. The effect of MgO on blast furnace slag is fairly well established, but its effect on sintering and sinter quality is unclear. Operating results of the sinter plants show that, with an increase of MgO, the sintering rate, the fuel rate, and sinter strength and reducibility deteriorate; however, high temperature properties such as the reduction degradation index and the softening-melting characteristics of the sinter improve. The present work attempts to establish this influence on the sintermaking process and sinter quality with the help of operating plant data.     

配加贾家堡铁矿对烧结矿性能的影响

为降低烧结矿成本,对烧结原料中配加一定比例的贾家堡铁矿进行了研究。烧结杯试验结果表明,随着烧结铁料中贾家堡铁矿配比增加,烧结矿成品率呈现逐渐降低趋势,转鼓指数也逐渐降低。贾家堡铁矿配比由0增加到4.48%时,烧结矿低温还原粉化率由76.7%降低到71.9%,而当贾家堡铁矿配比继续增加时,低温还原粉化率却有所上升。     

Influence of charcoal replacing coke on microstructure and reduction properties of iron ore sinter

This study was carried out to determine the influence of using charcoal as a supplementary fuel on the microstructure and reduction properties of sinter. The primary fuel was coke breeze with 0, 20, 30 and 40% replacement of weight input with charcoal to produce sinter. Experimental results indicate that when the replacement percentage of charcoal to coke breeze increased from 0 to 40%, the porosity and FeO content of sinter also rose. These changes result in an enhancement from 79.8 to 84.3% for the reducibility index due to the increased reducing surface area. In addition, the reduction degradation of sinter also improves since degradation during crystalline transformation is restricted. Therefore, replacing coke breeze with charcoal is able to improve the reducing properties of sinter, which is beneficial to small and large blast furnace operation.     

Influence of sinter grate suction pressure (flame front speed) on microstructure,productivity and quality of iron ore sinter

Abstract

From a sinter production point of view, it is important to optimise the sintering process with regard to both sinter quality and production rate. In sintering, airflow rate within the sinter bed decides the production rate and its physical and metallurgical properties. To study the influence of airflow rate (flame front speed) on sinter production and sinter quality, pot grate sintering experiments were conducted at sinter grate suction pressures ranging from 900 to 1700 mm water column over the sinter bed. During sintering, time–temperature data were recorded, and mineralogical studies were carried out. This study reveals that increase in sinter grate suction pressure through the sinter bed from 900 to 1700 mm water column significantly improved the sinter productivity from 34·37 to 48·90 t/m²/day; however, the physical and metallurgical properties of the sinter at higher suction pressure were not optimum with respect to blast furnace requirements. The maximum sinter productivity with desired physical and metallurgical properties was obtained at suction pressure 1300 mm water column. At this pressure, improvement in sinter quality was due to optimum firing temperature and enough retention time available for formation of mineral phases. At an airflow rate 1300 mm water column, sinter productivity was 41·0 t/m²/day, sinter strength (TI) was 73·10%, reduction degradation index was 25·0 and reducibility was 71·50%.     

Three-dimensional structure and micro-mechanical properties of iron ore sinter

A new analysis method based on serial sectioning and three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction was developed to characterize the mineral microstructure of iron ore sinter. Through the 3D reconstruction of two types of iron ore sinters, the morphology and distribution of minerals in three-dimensional space were analyzed, and the volume fraction of minerals in a 3D image was calculated based on their pixel points. In addition, the microhardness of minerals was measured with a Vickers hardness tester. Notably, different mineral compositions and distributions are obtained in these two sinters. The calcium ferrite in Sinter 1 is dendritic with many interconnected pores, and these grains are crisscrossed and interwoven; the calcium ferrite in Sinter 2 is strip shaped and interweaves with magnetite, silicate and columnar pores. The calculated mineral contents based on a two-dimensional region are clearly different among various layers. Quantitative analysis shows that Sinter 1 contains a greater amount of calcium ferrite and hematite, whereas Sinter 2 contains more magnetite and silicate. The microhardness of minerals from highest to lowest is hematite, calcium ferrite, magnetite and silicate. Thus, Sinter 1 has a greater tumbler strength than Sinter 2.     

Relationship between sinter properties and iron ore granulation index

Abstract

A range of iron ores were used in varying proportions to prepare 28 different ore mixtures. Each mixture was classified according to its granulation index and sintered in a pilot plant. The resulting sinters were characterised by chemical analysis, degradation during reduction in the blast furnace (reduction degradation index test), cold strength (tumbler test), coke consumption and process productivity. Sinter quality was assessed in relation to the granulation index of the ore mixture.     

Influence of MgO addition on mineralogy of iron ore sinter

The influence of MgO addition on sinter mineralogy was studied on sinters produced in a laboratory installation, with a wide range of MgO/CaO ratios at several basicity indices [B = (CaO + MgO)/ (SiO₂ + A1₂O₃)] between 0.7 to 1.9. The most striking influence of MgO is the suppression of hematite and Ca-ferrite phases and the increase in magnetite phase. In general, MgO favors the formation of glass and suppresses the precipitation of dicalcium silicates in favor of Ca-Fe-Mg olivines and pyroxenes. Microprobe studies revealed that most of the Mg was picked up by the magnetite phase to form mixed spinels of type (Fe, Mg)O · Fe₂O₃. At a constant basicity index, increased replacement of CaO by MgO also led to increased participation of FeO in the slag formation process, thus increasing the overall FeO content of sinter. A mechanism for the formation of mixed spinels has been proposed. The effect on various sinter properties resulting due to change in sinter mineralogy has been outlined. S. C. PANIGRAHY, with Department of Metallurgy and Metallography, State University of Ghent, Ghent, Belgium at the time the experiments were carried out     

Impact forging of sintered steel preforms

Abstract

The results of a fifteen year research and development programme on the application of forge hammers to the impact powder forging of 46xx steel preforms are reviewed and assessed. The main topics are suitability of forge hammers to powder forging; effects of forging strain and forging pressure on core residual porosity; importance of pressure dwell or contact time in determining residual porosity near the surfaces and corners of powder forgings; dependence of tensile ductility, toughness, and fatigue strength on high strength, impact powder forged 46xx steel on lateral strain, residual porosity, oxygen, and sulphur contents; and inclusion volume fraction and spacing. It is shown that impact forged steels can achieve mechanical property parity at very high strength levels with high quality wrought steels. State of the art forge hammers have significant technical and economic advantages over presses in powder forging applications and are best suited to powder forging processes for which the forging strains and energy requirements are small.     

返矿对烧结过程和烧结矿质量影响的研究

混匀矿中返矿的比率约为25%～50%。如此大比例的返矿会对烧结过程和烧结矿质量产生很大影响。研究旨在揭示返矿量和焦粉量变化的影响。研究采用了因子设计方法,研究表明返矿的产生主要取决于烧结混合料中的固体燃料和返矿比例,增加混合料中的返矿配入量会减少烧结过程中的返矿发生量。烧结过程效率随着混合料中返矿比例的增加而提高(最适宜的混合碱度为1.6)。研究表明,要确保返矿平衡率在90%～110%的范围内,混合料中返矿配比最高不能超过35%,最小不能<25%。     

Tensile and fatigue properties of cold and warm compacted Alumix 431 alloy

Abstract

In this experimental study, tensile and fatigue properties of the Alumix 431 alloy (Al, Zn, Mg and Cu alloys) produced using the conventional press and sinter processes in different pressures and temperatures are investigated. The results clearly showed that the warm compacted specimens can reach the mechanical properties of the cold compacted ones under less pressure. In the fatigue tests it was observed that fracture started from large pores as shown in all scanning electron microscope (SEM) examinations and ductile fracture occurred. 85% of the 180 MPa/80°C and 77% of the 230 MPa/RT specimens fractured at the machined surface. Tensile and fatigue properties of warm compacted (180 MPa/80°C) and cold (230 MPa/RT) compacted specimens are almost equal at these same densities. This result indicates the economic benefit of warm compaction by the much lower applied compaction pressure.     

The life of a plant builder in the modern metals industry

Abstract

The 2007 SMEA Celebrity Lecture (Sheffield Metallurgical and Engineering Association) was given by Roy Tazzyman, the outgoing Managing Director of Siemens VAI–UK, on 4 July 2007 at the University of Sheffield, in conjunction with the Association's annual conference. Ken Ridal summarises the proceedings.     

Turning and drilling of parts made from sinter hardenable steel powders

Abstract

The constant demand for improved mechanical properties and lower production costs of PM parts has lead to the development of sinter hardenable steel powders. These powders produce fully martensitic microstructures by appropriately controlling the cooling rate during the sintering operation. Thus, the heat treatment operation (oil quenching) that would generally be required to obtain hardened parts can be eliminated. However, machining of the relatively hard sinter hardened parts is difficult.It then becomes critical to optimise the tool selection and the machining conditions, such as surface speed and feed. This paper presents guidelines for the turning and drilling of parts made with sinter hardenable powders, as well as a discussion on the effect of manganese sulphide particles and chip formation during turning.     

印度矿粉对烧结矿矿相结构的影响

采用光学显微镜对印度矿粉及其烧结矿进行观察,研究了其对烧结矿矿相结构的影响.研究发现:印度矿粉结构致密,主要为磁赤铁矿,以板状形态存在;印度矿粉配加量由10%增加到40%,烧结矿矿物组成变化不明显,显微结构由斑状-粒状结构向斑状结构过渡,相应的烧结矿强度降低;印度矿粉由40%增加到60%,磁铁矿含量降低,铁酸钙含量增加,显微结构由班状结构向交织熔蚀结构过渡,对应的转鼓强度升高.     

澳矿粉配比对含钒烧结过程和烧结矿冶金性能的影响

基于承钢烧结现场条件,研究了澳矿粉配比对含钒烧结过程和烧结矿冶金性能的影响.结果表明:在试验条件下,适当增加原料中澳矿粉的配比,烧结矿中的w(FeO)和w(TiO2)降低,而w(SiO2)和w(Al2O3)则升高,赤铁矿和玻璃质含量增加,烧结料层的透气性得到了改善.当澳矿粉配比在33%以内增加时,烧结成品率、烧结矿冷态转鼓指数和低温还原粉化性能以及烧结矿的产量都有所改善.综合考虑澳矿粉配比对烧结矿产量、质量及高炉冶炼过程的影响,应将澳矿粉在烧结原料中的配比提高到33%左右.     

提高包钢烧结矿还原透气性的研究

采用配矿和调整烧结矿碱度的方法,研究提高包钢烧结矿还原透气性的途径。试验结果指出,在混合料中配入３０－４０％的河北精矿,将烧结矿碱度由现在的１．８降至１．４ 钢烧结矿的还原透气性。