CHARACTERISTICS OF INDIAN NON-COKING COALS AND IRON ORE REDUCTION BY THEIR CHARS FOR DIRECTLY REDUCED IRON PRODUCTION

Studies on the chemical and physical properties (proximate analysis, sulphur content, reactivity, iron ore reduction potential, caking index, and ash fusion temperatures) of coals, procured from 16 different mines in Orissa, India, were undertaken for their judicial selection in Indian sponge iron plants. These coals were found to have low sulphur (range of 0.40–0.66%) and a moderate-to-high ash (range: 22–53%) contents. The results indicated that there were no caking characteristics in any of the coals except Basundhara. The majority of the studied coal ashes were found to have higher fusion temperatures (ST: 1349–1547°C; HT: 1500–1663°C; and FT: 1510–1701°C). An increase in the fixed carbon content in the coal char, in general, led to a decrease in its reactivity toward CO₂. The majority of the chars exhibited significantly higher reactivities (>4.0 cc of CO/g·sec). Further reduction studies in coal chars at 900°C indicated an increase in the degree of reduction of fired hematite iron ore pellets with an increase of char reactivity and reduction time. The authors recommend using the majority of the studied coals as such and some of them (Lakhanpur, Samleshwari, Orient OC–4, and Dhera coals) after blending or beneficiation.