Influences of Oxide Additions on Formation Reaction of Iron Carbide at 1023 K

Abstract

The iron carbide was produced by reacting of iron ore fines with 70%H₂–30%CH₄ gas mixture at 1023 K. The effects of 1 to 5 mass% MnO, Cr₂O₃, TiO₂ and V₂O₅ additives on iron carbide formation were experimentally investigated by gravimetric measurement. Phases formed during the reaction of iron carbide formation with and without oxide addition were examined by XRD, Mossbauer, and EDX analyses. The change of iron, iron oxides, and iron carbide compositions during reaction were quantitatively determined for samples added 1 mass% V₂O₅ and without oxide addition. The addition of Cr₂O₃ and MnO has no significant effect on the iron carbide formation. The TiO₂ addition retards both reduction of iron ore and iron carburization processes. Only 1 mass% V₂O₅ addition can enhance both reduction of iron ore and iron carburization reaction. The V₂O₅ addition also increases the conversion yields from iron ore to iron carbide to 96% The promotion of reduction and carburization by the addition of V₂O₅ may be caused by the enhancement of catalytic effect of reduced metallic iron on methane cracking which can enhance both iron ore reduction and carburization.