MODELING OF REDUCTION OF ITAKPE OXIDE PELLETS IN FURNACE REACTOR

Abstract

The multiple gas solid reactions, the physico-chemical, transport and thermal phenomena taking place in the Direct reduction furnace of the Delta Steel plant was modelled using the shrinking core model on Itakpe ore with a view to improving on the efficiency of the reduction process. The mathematical description of the detailed physical, chemical, transport and thermal phenomena occurring in the furnace was carried out and the models described the fluid/solid flows through the moving bed reactor system and was conjugated with heat transfer, specie transport which included the solid oxide pellet feed and the reducing gases. The effect of the diffusion resistances, the intra-particle diffusion and kinetic phenomena coupled with other operating parameters on the overall particle conversion were examined and the Shrinking Core Model was able to correctly describe the heterogeneous process. The models were validated with data obtained in the reduction of the local Itakpe iron ore pellets. The simulated particles in this process was the 1.2cm diameter Itakpe pellet. The results of the reduction of the Itakpe iron ore were in close conformance with the behaviour of most worldwide iron oxides used in the direct reduction process.