Effects of Metallic Iron Bearing Resources on Iron Ore Sintering

Abstract

In order to clarify the effects of the use of resources containing metallic iron (MIRs) on the sintering process, plant tests have been conducted at Nakayama Steel. With an increase in MIRs, the following results were observed:
(1) Sinter yield and productivity deteriorated
(2) Emissions of NO_x and SO_x were reduced
(3) Sinter qualities changed depending on the kind of MIR
Pressure measurements of the sinter bed and CT observations of sintercake revealed that a decrease in porosity in the lower part of sintercake caused a decrease in permeability of the bed and an increase in the volume of an unsintered portion near the hearth layer. A decrease in fuel nitrogen and sulfur inputs in the sinter mix, which was caused by substituting metallic iron for coke breeze, reduced the emissions of NO_x and SO_x.