Effect of Na2CO3 and CaCO3 on coreduction roasting of blast furnace dust and high-phosphorus oolitic hematite

Iron was recovered from blast furnace dust and high-phosphorus oolitic hematite in the presence of Na₂CO₃ and CaCO₃ additives. The functions of Na₂CO₃ and CaCO₃ during the coreduction roasting process were investigated by XRD and SEM-EDS analyses. Results indicate that these additives not only hinder the reduction of fluorapatite, CaCO₃ also decreases the P content of direct reduced iron (DRI) by increasing the reduction alkalinity. P remains as fluorapatite in the slag, which can be removed by grinding and magnetic separation under optimal conditions. The Na₂CO₃ promotes hematite reduction and improves the iron recovery (ε_Fe) by replacing the FeO from fayalite, which results in quick growth and aggregation of metallic iron and improvement of ε_Fe in DRI. A DRI with 91.88 mass% Fe, and 0.065 mass% P can be achieved at a recovery of 87.86 mass% under the optimal condition.