Effect of the Kind of Iron Oxide in Reduced Iron Pellets on the Melting rate into Iron Melt

Abstract

TThe melting rate into iron melt of partly reduced iron pellets made from pure iron powder and iron oxide powder by pressing has been measured. The effects of the kind of iron oxides in pellets and the weight of pellets on the melting rate of pellets have been investgated. The following results are obtained:
(1) FeO, Fe₃O₄ and Fe₂O₃ were identified in low reduction pellets produced commercially while only FeO was found in high reduction pellets.
(2) The difference of melting rate among the pellets containing different iron oxides was small for the constant content of oxygen in reduced iron pellts.
(3) The apparent activation energy of melting into iron melt of pellets containing FeO was 33 kcal/mol which was the same as that of those containing Fe₂O₃, while that of those containing Fe₃O₄ was 21 kcal/mol.
(4) The maximum melting rate of pellets containing iron oxides was obtained at the range of 2.53.5%C in iron melt.
(5) The melting rate of pellets into iron melt increased with increasing the weight of pellets.