Carbon Gasification in Self-reducing Mixtures

Self-reduction experiments of mill scale with four potential carbonaceous reductants (charcoal, coal char, blast furnace coke and petroleum coke) were carried out by thermogravimetry (TG) in order to choose one allowing the highest reduction rate and overall conversion. The fastest rate of self-reduction was measured for the charcoal and the slowest for the petroleum coke. The Friedman method of kinetics data analysis was used to calculate apparent activation energy at different conversion rates. Based on these values it can be concluded that the Boudouard reaction controls the rate of self-reduction with charcoal up to about 60% of conversion and even more for others reductants. It has also been demonstrated that the morphology of the iron produced strongly depends on reactivity of carbonaceous reductant.