SELF-REDUCING PELLETS FOR IRONMAKING: REACTION RATE AND PROCESSING

Abstract

Self-reducing pellets bearing iron oxides and carbonaceous material are considered as an efficient way of promoting the carbothermic reduction of iron ore or iron-containing wastes, as several processes already employ this technology. This paper discusses the reaction rates obtained when this kind of agglomerate is heated at different temperatures. To take advantage of the kinetic features presented by self-reducing pellets, any process has to solve the problem of furnishing a high heat load to the charge without compromising its physical integrity. This paper also presents a discussion on how the different existing or proposed processes tackle this problem.