Structural and morphological changes during reduction of hematite to magnetite and wustite in hydrogen rich reduction gases under fluidised bed conditions

Abstract

During the reduction of iron ore fines structural changes in particles have a significant influence on the rate of reduction. Investigations regarding porosity, specific surface area and mean pore diameters in the reduction of hematite with hydrogen rich reducing gases were performed by mercury porosimetry. Morphological changes were examined by metallographic analyses of polished sections in reflected light. In the magnetite equilibrium phase, significant influence of temperature on structural parameters and sintering effects were found.

For wustite phases, the influence of temperature was less pronounced. For the reduction of hematite to magnetite and magnetite to wustite topochemical phase growth and microporous product layers were observed. In the single step, reduction of hematite to wustite progressive conversion and significant increase in the mean pore diameter were found. The results presented in this work are of high importance for understanding the reaction kinetics of iron ore fines and essential for modelling heterogeneous reactions.     

Effects of embedding direct reduction followed by magnetic separation on recovering titanium and iron of beach titanomagnetite concentrate

Embedding direct reduction followed by magnetic separation was conducted to fully recover iron and titanium separately from beach titanomagnetite(TTM).The influences of reduction conditions,such as molar ratio of C to Fe,reduction time,and reduction temperature,were studied.The results showed that the TTM concentrate was reduced to iron and iron-titanium oxides,depending on the reduction time,and the reduction sequence at 1 200°C was suggested as follows:Fe_(2.75)Ti_(0.25)O_4→Fe_2TiO_4→FeTiO_3→FeTi_2O_5.The reduction temperature played a considerable role in the reduction of TTM concentrates.Increasing temperature from 1 100 to 1 200°C was beneficial to recovering titanium and iron,whereas the results deteriorated as temperature increased further.The results of X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy analyses showed that low temperature(≤1 100°C)was unfavorable for the gasification of reductant,resulting in insufficient reducing atmosphere in the reduction process.The molten phase was formed at high temperatures of 1 250-1 300°C,which accelerated the migration rate of metallic particles and suppressed the diffusion of reduction gas,resulting in poor reduction.The optimum conditions for reducing TTM concentrate are as follows:molar ratio of C to Fe of 1.68,reduction time of 150 min,and reduction temperature of 1 200°C.Under these conditions,direct reduction iron powder,assaying 90.28 mass%TFe and 1.73 mass% TiO_2 with iron recovery of 90.85%,and titanium concentrate,assaying 46.24mass% TiO_2 with TiO_2 recovery of 91.15%,were obtained.     

Improvement in internal quality of boiler plates at Bhilai Steel Plant

Abstract

Bhilai Steel Plant produces plates of boiler, high tensile and other special quality steels via the basic oxygen furnace–vacuum arc degassing–continuous casting route. These plates need to be ultrasonically sound. However, rejection of plates on account of internal defects was high. Metallurgical investigations of defective plates showed the presence of a martensitic zone associated with cracks around the centreline. The martensitic transformation is favoured by segregation of carbon and other elements. The published literature confirms that, even at a normal cooling rate, martensite formation is possible when the concentration of carbon at the central region is high. Bhilai Steel Plant slab casters have certain inherent deficiencies such as a high roll pitch and low machine rigidity, which lead to strand bulging. High strand bulging causes centreline segregation. Segregation during solidification can be controlled by various techniques including low superheat casting, electromagnetic stirring, mechanical soft reduction, and thermal soft reduction. As a major revamping of the caster and the introduction of additional hardware call for a large capital investment, it was planned to improve the cast product quality using a less capital intensive option, thermal soft reduction. In thermal soft reduction, cooling is intensified close to the final stage of solidification. This creates a thermal compaction which allows the segregated liquid to move upwards and dissipate. The intense cooling also strengthens the solid shell, leading to a significant reduction of bulging and thereby reducing macrosegregation. In the present investigation, the secondary water distribution pattern has been redesigned to incorporate intense cooling close to the final stage of solidification, using a mathematical model developed by Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL). The modified water distribution pattern is designed to maintain a high rate of cooling at the outer and inner surfaces of the solidified shell in the strand. Plant trials using the modified water distribution pattern have shown a significant improvement in plate quality, confirmed by macro-and microanalysis of the slabs and plates.     

Study on Direct Reduction Characteristics of Iron Ore Coal Mixed Pellets

Ｉｒｏｎｏｒｅｃｏａｌｍｉｘｅｄｐｅｌｌｅｔｓａｒｅｃａｐａｂｌｅｏｆｑｕｉｃｋｌｙｓｅｌｆ ｒｅｄｕｃｔｉｏｎ .Ｉｎｔｈｅｙｅａｒｓｏｆｓｉｘｔｉｅｓ ,ｔｈｅＩｎｍｅｔｃｏｐｒｏｃｅｓｓａｎｄＭｉｄｒｅｘＦａｓｔｍｅｔｐｒｏｃｅｓｓｆｏｒｍａｋｉｎｇｃｏａｌｍｉｘｅｄｐｅｌｌｅｔｓｔｏｄｅａｌｗｉｔｈｔｈｅｓｅｃｏｎｄａｒｙｄｕｓｔｉｎｉｒｏｎａｎｄｓｔｅｅｌｐｌａｎｔｏｒｔｏｐｒｏｄｕｃｅＤＲＩ[1- 3] ｗｅｒｅｄｅｖｅｌ ｏｐｅｄ .Ｒｅｃｅｎｔｌｙ ,ａｌｏｔｏｆｂａｓｉｃｒｅｓｅａｒｃｈｅｓｏ…     

煤种对含煤球团还原速度的影响

研究了在１２２３￣１４７３Ｋ的氮气氛中３种不同挥发分煤粉的粒度、铁精矿粉粒度、温度及碳－氧摩尔比对含煤球团还原速度的影响。发现降低煤粉或铁精矿粉粒度，提高温度或碳－氧摩尔比可提高含煤球团的还原速度，且这４种因素对还原速度的影响程度随煤种挥发分的降低而增大。分别采用以碳气化反应、气相内扩散、界面反应为控制环节而得出的表达含煤球团反应过程的速度方程处理本研究数据，发现３种速度方程（４种表达形式）均能较     

微波加热还原含碳铁矿粉试验研究

微波是一种清洁能源,可以对冶金粉料进行选择性体加热。利用含碳铁矿粉自还原性和对微波的吸收性,采用微波加热,可以直接进行碳热还原。微波加热可以快速提高含碳铁矿粉的金属化率,降低还原反应温度,对原料有广泛的适应性,并可以取消球团的制备工艺,对“绿色”钢铁冶金流程具有深远的意义。     

Effect of CaO on the reduction behaviour of iron ore–coal composite pellets in multi-layer bed rotary hearth furnace

The effect of CaO on the reduction behaviour of iron ore–coal composite pellets has been studied in a laboratory scale multi-layer bed rotary hearth furnace at 1250°C for 20?min. Reduced pellets have been characterised through weight loss, porosity measurement, phase analysis by XRD, and morphology study by SEM. The addition of CaO to the composite pellets showed different effects at different carbon levels. For higher carbon-containing pellets (C/Fe₂O₃ molar ratio at the upper stoichiometric level of 3), the addition of CaO increased the extent of reduction for all three layers significantly up to a certain limit (4?wt-%); and thereafter the degree of reduction is decreased with a further increase in CaO percentage in the pellets. For low carbon-containing pellets (C/Fe₂O₃ molar ratio of 1.66), the addition of CaO to the pellets did not show any beneficial effect.     

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 NOx 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.     

煤中氢对含碳球团还原的影响

针对含碳球团还原过程中的煤种选择问题,研究了烟煤和无烟煤挥发分中氢对含碳球团还原的作用以及温度、加热速度对氢还原过程的影响。结果表明,含碳球团中煤热解产生的氢对铁氧化物有还原作用。由于煤中挥发分的热解析出温度与氢还原铁氧化物的还原温度不一致,氢在还原初期迅速放出,导致氢的还原作用率低;提高温度和加热速度可提高煤中氢的还原作用率和挥发分的利用率。综合考虑,含碳球团实际生产选择煤种时,应选择反应性好的无烟煤。     

微波加热含碳氧化锰矿粉体还原过程中磷的迁移行为

通过电子探针面扫描成分分析,研究了微波加热含碳锰矿粉体还原过程中磷的迁移行为。在rc：ro原子摩尔比为1．06、rcao：rsio2分子摩尔比为1．27的条件下,将含碳锰矿粉放入微波,冶金炉中进行加热还原并保温一段时间。结果表明：固相还原时,有53％～67％的磷分布于气相中,高于常规冶炼的气化脱磷率。温度高于1000℃后,部分磷以锰、铁磷化物的形式迁移进入金属化物中。随着温度的提高和保温时间的增加,锰铁金属化物中的含磷量随之增加。将微波加热温度控制在1100℃以内,并缩短保温时间,有利于获得低磷海绵锰铁。     

天津钢管公司DRC直接还原厂生产工艺与自动控制

天津钢管公司DRC直接还原厂将采用英国戴维国际工程公司的DRC煤基直接还原技术,以铁矿石、煤、石灰石为原燃料,用回转窑来生产直接还原铁(DRI)。该厂将由两条回转窑生产线组成,每条生产线的生产能力为15万tDRI/年,回转窑规格为φ5.0m×80m。工厂生产主线将采用计算机集散控制系统(DCS)以实现对生产过程的自动控制。     

Microstructure of Solid Phase Reduction on Manganese Oxide Ore Fines Containing Coal by Microwave Heating

Microstructure of solid phase reduction on manganese oxide ore fines containing coal (MOOFCC) is one of important kinetics conditions of influencing microwave heating. On condition that an atomic molar ratio of rO∶rC in MOOFCC is 1∶1.06 as well as a molecular molar ratio of rSiO2∶rCaO is 1∶1.28,1 kg of MOOFCC is heated by microwave to reach 1000-1300℃ and hold different time respectively. Experiments show that the metal phase takes the iron-based metal compounds containing manganese as the main content. The manganese content of metal phase increases with the rise of temperature. The particle size of the metal phase is within the range from 0.01 to 0.05mm. MO2 phase in the stuff is entirely changed into MnO phase and the slag phase is mainly composed of wollastonite and manganese olivine. The stuff reduced is loose and massive as a whole and its porosity is from 30% to 45%. The low softening-melting property and the low density of the stuff impact,to some degree,the solid phase reduction of powder by microwave heating.     

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%.     

铁精矿粉粒度对精控还原工艺的影响

本文以河北承德地区的铁精矿粉为原料,选用模拟隧道窑还原工艺制备海绵铁粉,研究了铁精矿粉粒度对精控还原工艺的影响。结果表明:铁精矿粉粒度对其还原工艺影响很大,并直接影响海绵铁粉的产品性能。在既定试验条件下,随着铁精矿粉粒度的增大,其精控还原所需最优还原温度随着增加,最佳配碳量先减少后增大,而最佳还原时间随粒度的增大呈现出先增大后减小的变化趋势。究其原因为粒度过小导致的粉体烧结和粒度过大导致的粉体芯部不易还原均会阻碍还原过程的进行。45~75μm粒度区间铁精矿粉最适合作为制备优质海绵铁粉原料,其在配碳量0.8、还原温度1150℃、还原时间4.5 h的精控还原工艺下可制得的海绵铁粉的铁含量高达97.88%。     

Effect of temperature and reaction path interaction on fluidization reduction kinetics of iron ore powder

Due to the instability of FeO at temperatures below 843 K,the fluidization reduction pathway of iron ore powder changes with the reduction temperature.Thus,the effect of temperature and reaction pathway interaction on the kinetics of fluidization reduction of iron ore powder under low-temperature conditions ranging from 783 to 903 K was investigated to describe the fluidization reduction rate of iron ore powder from three aspects:microstructure change,reaction limiting link,and apparent activation energy of the reaction,exploring their internal correlation.The experimental results revealed that in a temperature range of 783-813 K,the formation of a dense iron layer hindered the internal diffusion of reducing gas,resulting in relatively high gas diffusion resistance.In addition,due to the differences in limiting links and reaction pathways in the intermediate stage of reduction,the apparent activation energy of the reaction varied.The apparent activation energy of the reaction ranged from 23.36 to 89.13 kJ/mol at temperature ranging from 783 to 813 K,while it ranged from 14.30 to 68.34 kJ/mol at temperature ranging from 873 to 903 K.     

Separation of aluminium and preparation of powdered DRI from lateritic iron ore based on direct reduction process

Lateritic iron ore has not been used effectively due to excess content of multiple metals. In this work, separation of aluminium from a high-aluminium lateritic iron ore was achieved by the process of ‘direct reduction with sodium sulfate-magnetic separation’, with a powdered direct reduced iron (DRI) produced. It is found that the presence of 12% sodium sulphate during reductive roasting significantly improves separation of iron and aluminium in magnetic separation: the total iron grade (TFe) of powdered DRI increases from 80.6 to 92.0% and the Al₂O₃ content decreases from 9.8 to 1.3% correspondingly. The presence of sodium sulphate results in formation of sodium aluminosilicates instead of FeAlO₂. Moreover, sodium sulphate significantly promotes growth of metallic iron grains which is beneficial to sufficient liberation and separation of metallic iron grains from gangue minerals in grinding and magnetic separation.     

Nitrogen in SL/RN direct reduced iron: origin and effect on nitrogen control in EAF steelmaking

Abstract

In the steel plant considered here, direct reduced iron (DRI), produced by the coal based Stelco–Lurgi/Republic–National (SL/RN) process, makes up 50% or more of the total iron charge. The SL/RN DRI samples from a kiln cooler had high nitrogen contents (50–250 ppm, depending on particle size), contributing to elevated nitrogen levels in liquid steel produced in the electric arc furnaces. The proposed mechanism of nitriding of SL/RN DRI involves gaseous nitrogen (present within the rotary cooler) diffusing into the solid bed and is supported by a simple diffusion model. A strong correlation was found between the melt-in carbon content of the liquid steel and the final tap nitrogen content, with melt-in carbon of 0·3%C or higher resulting in nitrogen levels below 50 ppm at tap, even when charging DRI material that is high in nitrogen.     

Workload, control, and social support effects on serum lipids: A longitudinal study among apparently healthy employed adults.

The authors investigated the direct and interactive effects of the job demand– control–support (JDC-S) model’s components on subsequent changes in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides (TRI) separately for male and female employees. In contrast to all 14 past studies on these relationships, the authors used a longitudinal design. Study participants (N = 1,137, 66% men) were all apparently healthy employees who underwent a routine health check at 2 points in time (Time 1 and Time 2) about 22 months apart. In these analyses, the authors controlled for the Time 1 level of each criterion and for other confounders. Most of the direct and moderating effects found did not support the predictions of the JDC-S model; this finding is in agreement with the majority of past cross-sectional studies. The authors did not find any evidence supporting the existence of a reverse causation for either of the components of the JDC-S model. The authors suggest that serum lipids may not be a physiological mechanism mediating the effects of the JDC-S model on atherosclerotic diseases. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

On the flexibility of grammatical advance planning during sentence production: Effects of cognitive load on multiple lexical access.

Three picture–word interference experiments addressed the question of whether the scope of grammatical advance planning in sentence production corresponds to some fixed unit or rather is flexible. Subjects produced sentences of different formats under varying amounts of cognitive load. When speakers described 2-object displays with simple sentences of the form “the frog is next to the mug,” the 2 nouns were found to be lexically–semantically activated to similar degrees at speech onset, as indexed by similarly sized interference effects from semantic distractors related to either the first or the second noun. When speakers used more complex sentences (including prenominal color adjectives; e.g., “the blue frog is next to the blue mug”) much larger interference effects were observed for the first than the second noun, suggesting that the second noun was lexically–semantically activated before speech onset on only a subset of trials. With increased cognitive load, introduced by an additional conceptual decision task and variable utterance formats, the interference effect for the first noun was increased and the interference effect for second noun disappeared, suggesting that the scope of advance planning had been narrowed. By contrast, if cognitive load was induced by a secondary working memory task to be performed during speech planning, the interference effect for both nouns was increased, suggesting that the scope of advance planning had not been affected. In all, the data suggest that the scope of advance planning during grammatical encoding in sentence production is flexible, rather than structurally fixed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)