Reducing agents and double-layered iron ore pellets

In the present investigation, an attempt has been made to study the effect of reducing agents (coke, Non-coking coal, Char, Charcoal, etc.) on the reduction behaviour of double-layered pellets consisting of a core of iron ore and reducing agent mixture within a shell of iron ore. The reduction tests were conducted under isothermal condition in the temperature range 1000-1200 degrees C. The variables (parameters) studied were the reduction temperature, carbon/iron oxide ratio of the core, and reduction time. The experiments were statistically designed such that the effect of each variable and interactional effect of each variable can be quantitatively assessed and compared. The results show highest degree of reduction with non-coking coal followed by charcoal, char, coke-fines. Among these three parameters, reduction time has the strongest effect when charcoal and non-coking coal are used as reducing agents, whereas in the case of coke and char, reduction temperature has the strongest effect. C:Fe2O3 ratio of core has the least effect in all four types of carbonaceous core double-layered pellets. (C) 2000 Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.