Abstract
Particles of hematite ores in a porcelain boat were reacted at 873∼1273 K by H2-CH4 mixtures having low sulfur activities as based on Fe/FeS equilibrium where metallic iron remained stable. In the tests without sulfur, much free carbon appeared beside metallic iron and iron carbide. The free carbon increased with temperatures. In the tests with sulfur, nearly one hour reaction could convert their particles mostly to iron carbide such as Fe3C, especially favorable in as=0.1∼1.0 at 1173∼1223 K. The conversion yield was sensitive to inlet flow volume ratio H2/CH4 and ore type, while the authors' previous test in H2-CO gas mixtures had already indicated their insensitivity.
