Effect of additives concentration on pelletization of high grade hematite

Abstract

The pelletization process can convert the iron ore fines (<150 µm) to improved feed material for blast furnaces. The process involves two steps, the “green pellets” formation with the addition of additives like, bentonite, anthracite coal and limestone to enhance the agglomeration phenomena. And then the pellets undergo heat hardening (Induration) process, to attain appropriate mechanical resistance and metallurgical characteristics required for the iron making facilities. The proportion of additive plays comparatively important role in a pelletization process starting from green pellet to fired pellet and then up to pellet reduction.The iron ore fines (Fe: 64% and LOI: 2.86%), anthracite coal, bentonite and limestone are taken as the pellet feed material. The aim of the present work is to investigate the effect of additives (bentonite, limestone and anthracite coal) variation (0.2, 0.5, 0.7 and 1%) on the physical, chemical and mineralogical characteristics of fired pellets prepared from high grade hematite fines. The physical properties such as cold compressive strength, porosity; chemical composition and microstructure of the fired pellets are compared and corroborated the findings.