Investigation on the pre-reduction of ilmenite pellet using H2/CO atmospheres

In this study, ilmenite and bentonite were uniformly mixed, pelletised, and baked at temperatures up to 1200 degrees C. The reduction of ilmenite pellet by H-2/CO mixtures and H-2 pure gas was studied in the temperature range of 760-890 degrees C. Reduced pellet microstructures and phases analysed by, Optical Microscopy (OM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Energy Dispersive X Ray Analysis (EDX) Mapping. Experimental works shown that between 760 degrees C, 880 degrees C, and 890 degrees C, the H2 amount and reduction temperature have a considerable influence on the degree of metallisation. The obtain results demonstrate the degree of metallisation increased with increase of reduction temperature and reaction time. The degree of metallisation could reach 93.64% when the sample was reduced to 890 degrees C for 360 min in pure H2 atmosphere. In microstructural analysis, metallic iron particles became smaller and more uniformly distributed as hydrogen content of the reducing gas increased.