Reduction of iron ore fines in the Ifcon furnace

Abstract

This work involved an investigation into the mechanisms governing the reduction of material in the solids bed of the Ifcon® process. Thermo gravimetric analyses were done to investigate the influence of various operational parameters on the rate of solid state reduction. The experiments were modeled, and model predictions were compared to experimental results. Kinetic data was analised and the reduction rate constants were calculated. The rate constants were used as inputs to a model, which describes the reduction behaviour and temperature profile in a composite solids bed (similar to that in the Ifcon® process). High temperature reduction- and melting tests were done in an 150 kW induction furnace, to simulate final reduction in a solids bed. The temperature profile through the solids bed was measured and results were compared to model predictions. Finally the extent to which solid state reduction occurs in the solids bed was estimated as a function of production rate.