Utilisation of semi-coke as by-product derived from coal-based direct reduction process in iron ore sintering

Abstract

Solid wastes derived from metallurgical industries have created threats to the environment and their disposal is a major concern for the World. Semi-coke generated in the coal-based direct reduction process of iron ore is a solid waste and its effective utilisation has not been developed so far. In order to develop it properly, the characteristics of this semi-coke have been comprehensively studied and an investigation was carried out into the use of semi-coke as an alternative fuel in iron ore sintering. It is shown that the semi-coke could be substituted for coke breeze without affecting the sintering and metallurgical performances by adjusting its size distribution to offset the adverse effect of its superior combustion properties. In addition, the application of semi-coke in sintering could decrease SOx and NOx pollutants by 66 and 25%, respectively, in waste gas compared with coke breeze as solid fuel.