Investigation of microwave heating in iron production

Abstract

The reduction of iron ore with carbon was investigated using a microwave heating techniques. The heat generated by the reaction mixtures while interacting with microwave, percentage and rate of carbothermic reduction, chemical composition and microstructure of iron produced were studied in detail. The experiments were carried out using 2.45 GHz microwave processor and reaction rates were analyzed at different power ratings: 500, 620 and 940 watts. Unlike conventional processing the microwave heating was found to be through the absorption of microwaves by reaction mixtures. The microwave processing showed considerable reduction in reaction time increases the yield and also reduces unwanted side reactions. However it showed uneven heating as the heating is due to the distribution of microwave absorbers present in the reaction mixture. Solid state reduction was observed at initial 10-40 minutes and molten iron produced above 40 minutes and the temperature attained was over 14000C.