Effect of Iron Ore Lumps and Iron Ore Pellets on Production of Direct Reduced Iron

Abstract

Pelletization has proved to be successful way to utilize iron ore fines generated during mining. The difference in chemical composition and physical properties of iron ore and iron ore pellets has impact on quality of direct reduced iron produced. The pellets have higher strength and resistance to disintegration than iron ore lumps, while lumps have better reducibility then pellets. Process parameters like temperature profile, RPM of the Kiln and others has been modified to accommodate this change in physical and chemical properties. Iron ore pellets with lower reducibility than lumps will require higher residence time inside the kiln for same amount of metallization. The overall fines generation inside the kiln is less in case of pellets than lumps. The higher production is obtained with lower feed rate in case of iron ore pellets as compared to Iron ore lumps.