Kinetics and catastrophic swelling during reduction of iron ore in carbon bearing pellets

The rate of reaction between iron oxides and charcoal, agglomerated together as pellets, has been correlated with the swelling of the pellets and with the morphology of the iron formed. The experimental techniques employed were thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction analysis, and microscopic examination of partially reduced pellets. The experiments were performed in the temperature range 1223-1423 K. The conditions that favour the growing of iron in the form of whiskers, and hence lead to catastrophic swelling, have been determined.