Optimum processing conditions of iron nugget from low grade iron ore and coal sources

Abstract

A new technology that produces iron nugget is known as ‘iron making technology mark three’ (ITmk3). The objective of the present work was to modify the ITmk3 process to produce iron nugget from a low grade iron ore (50–60% iron content) and a bituminous grade coal to determine suitable parameters that control the quality of the iron nugget: weight ratios of raw materials, reduction time and reduction temperature. The most suitable conditions for making iron nugget (over 94%Fe and yield of more than 94%), from a pellet with a diameter of 2.5 cm and a height of 4 cm, were using the mole ratios of C/Fe as 1.53, limestone/Al₂O₃ + SiO₂ as 0.75 and bentonite/Fe as 0.02:1, with the reduction temperature of 1425°C and the reduction time of 20 min.

Keywords

Iron nugget Iron making technology mark three Direct reduction Low grade iron ore Hematite

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