Characteristic and kinetic study of the hot air-drying process of artificial limonite pellets

Abstract

BackgroundLimonite pellets, primarily composed of Fe2O3·nH2O, are a crucial raw material for modern iron-making techniques. In order to produce high-quality pellets, a pre-drying and roasting process is necessary. This is because wet pellets can absorb heat during the water evaporation process, which can lead to uneven temperature distribution in the blast furnace. MethodsIn this study, we investigated the hot air-drying processes of limonite pellets. Specifically, we examined the impacts of temperature and air speed on pellet quality, weight loss, moisture content, and drying rate to identify optimal drying process parameters for artificial limonite pellets. Additionally, we analyzed the drying kinetics of synthetic limonite pellets using experimental data. Significant FindingsThe results show that the drying rates of the pellets increase with temperature and wind speed and that Correction Page(III) is suitable for the kinetic drying model of synthetic limonite pellets. This research provides important theoretical and practical insights into drying limonite pellets in real-world production processes.