Fluidized Bed Reduction of Iron Ore Fines by Coal Fines

Abstract

Reduction of iron ore fines by coal fines in a bed fluidized by air has been studied. The investigation includes study of the kinetic aspect of reduction and effect of major process variables. The variables used are time, temperature, coal/ore ratio and air flow rate. The kinetic data of reduction fit the first order reaction model. Within the range of variables studied, an increase in reaction temperature and coal/ore ratio of the reduction mixture result in higher reduction rate, whereas, increase in air flow rate adversely affects the reduction rate. The activation energy for the reduction reaction is found to be about 155 kJ/mol.