Comparison of iron ore reduction in experimental blast furnace and laboratory scale simulation of blast furnace process

Abstract

The reduction of iron ore pellets in an experimental blast furnace has been surveyed by dissection of the blast furnace. Results of the dissection, as well as some results of measurements taken in the blast furnace interior during operation, have been compared with those of previously conducted laboratory reduction, softening and melting tests using the same type of pellets. The aim of the work was to compare laboratory testing with results from an experimental blast furnace. The high temperature phenomena occurring when reducing olivine iron ore pellets, with limited softening and a short temperature range of the melting process resulting in a thin cohesive zone, were found to be the same in laboratory tests and in the experimental blast furnace. The reduction process down through the burden of the experimental blast furnace, however, was not identical to that in the reduction, softening and melting experiments. The differences obtained were found to arise from different reducing conditions. Therefore, it was concluded that simulation of the reduction occurring in the blast furnace can be conducteded on a laboratory scale, provided that the experimental conditions are carefully chosen for the specific blast furnace process to be simulated. Information about the internal state of the blast furnace can be obtained from the experimental blast furnace.