A comparative study for smelting of chromite ore, pellets, briquettes and sinter

Ferrochrome (>62%Cr) and charge chrome (45–52%Cr) production using the submerged arc furnace (SAF) is an established practice in India. As the majority of Cr rich Indian chromite ore are friable in nature and available in fine form, utilisation of chromite fines for production of superior quality ferrochrome is essential. For this purpose, in the present study, the smelting of chromite pellets, briquettes, sinter and lump ore has been carried out in an electric arc furnace of 50 kVA. The energy consumption, yield, Cr recovery and quality of Fe–Cr produced have been compared for different Cr bearing materials. Sinters and pellets have found to be more suitable than briquettes and poor quality lump ore in terms of energy consumption and yield.