Interface Behavior and Interaction Mechanism between Vanadium-Titanium Magnetite Carbon Composite Briquette and Sinter in Softening-Melting-Dripping Process

Abstract

As an innovative and promising BF iron-bearing burden, the vanadium-titanium magnetite carbon composite briquette (VTM-CCB) charging significantly affects the softening-melting-dripping characteristics and cohesive zone of the mixed burden. In this study, the interface behaviors between VTM-CCB and sinter were investigated by conducting interrupted softening-melting experiments to elucidate intrinsic structure evolution and interaction mechanisms. During softening, when the FC/O ratio of VTM-CCB ranges from 0.8 to 1.0, the molten slag-metal coexisting structure formed at the interface, thereby promoting the shrinking and decreasing T4 and T40. However, with increasing FC/O ratio higher than 1.0, the interface slagging and bonding would be suppressed due to the unconsumed carbon particles. During melting, the increasing of FC/O ratio would lower the FeO content and decrease the molten slag, and the interface layer transformed from molten slag-iron coexisting structure to dense metallic iron shell, suppressing the collapse of molten mixtures and increasing Ts. In the dripping process, increasing the FC/O ratio appropriately could promote the interface iron carburization and the aggregation of molten iron, thereby decreasing TD and improving the dripping performance. Besides, the VTM-CCB, acting as skeleton in the molten mixtures, could provide more gas channels to improve the permeability of packed bed. However, as the FC/O ratio exceeds 1.2, the Ti(C,N) would precipitate at the slag-metal interface and deteriorate the fluidity of molten mixtures, thereby deteriorating the gas permeability and increasing TD notably. Fully considering the softening-melting-dripping characteristics and the gas permeability, the appropriate FC/O ratio of VTM-CCB should not be higher than 1.2.