Simboul: a simulator of the iron ore pellet induration process

Simboul is a phenomenological steady-state simulator that was developed to complement the conventional R&D approach of pilot plant testing in order to transfer the expertise more efficiently to CMQC's plant personnel. Phenomena such as moisture removal, coke and magnetite combustion, flux calcination and heat transfer are reproduced in the context of industrial operations. The physical and metallurgical properties of the fired pellets are also estimated. This paper outlines the opportunities that led to the development of the simulator and describes the main features of the software through its major modules. A few examples of applications at the pelletizing plant are discussed and finally, future software developments and applications are presented.