Abstract
A new metallurgical reactor called the LB Furnace is currently being developed at McMaster University. A series of experiments on ironmaking was conducted successfully in a laboratory bench scale furnace. Sponge iron and hot metal were produced with desired properties by using mixture of iron ore concentrate and pulverized coal. Compositions of hot metal (except carbon) and slag produced are similar to those of the blast furnace products. The carbon content of the hot metal can be effectively controlled in the range of 0.3 to 4.0%. Sponge iron can be produced with different degrees of metallization, up to 99%. The unique design of the reduction unit of the LB Furnace has achieved its goals: (1) the direct use of iron ore concentrate and pulverized coal, (2) the intensive reduction reactions (15 kg Fe/hr throughput in a 8.3 cm reduction tube of 75 cm long, or 88 tonne Fe/d/m3 of the reduction tube inner volume), and (3) the complete combustion of the gaseous reduction products in one single reactor for high energy efficiency.
