Production of pig iron from Andhra Pradesh raw materials

With a view to assess the possibilities of establishment of a regional iron works, the Government of Andhra Pradesh had sent the necessary raw materials available in the State. The physical and chemical properties of the raw materials were determined. In the absence of occurrence of coking coal, which precluded the possibility of iron smelting by the conventional blast furnace technique, extensive trials were conducted in the low-shaft furnace pilot plant employing either raw coal (Singareni Colliery) or low temperature carbonised coke made thereof (at the Regional Research Laboratory, Hyderabad), as fuel and reductant with variations in burden schedules and operational conditions. While the utilization of raw coal led to various operational difficulties with fluctuations in the chemical analyses of pig iron produced, the smelting operation with low temperature carbonised coke was smooth yielding pig iron of consistent composition and was considered suitable for industrial adaptation. (Dr. A.B. Chatterjea, Scientist, Dr. B.R. Nijhawan, Ex-Director, Mr. J. Goswami, Scientist, Mr. S.K. Biswas, Scientist, Mr. R. Santokh Singh, Scientist and Mr. J.S. Padan, Scientist, National Metallurgical Laboratory)