Modeling and simulation of iron ore pellet drying and induration process with accurate bed void fraction calculation

ABSTRACT

As key parameters of modeling iron ore pellet drying and induration process, the properties of a packing bed are calculated by our proposed method. Derived from realistic spheres-dropping phenomena, the dropping and rolling rules make the moving sphere finally reach its minimum gravitational potential energy. Furthermore, the plastic deformation of green pellets and mechanic vibration are also considered in the model. The model is based on the laws of mass and heat transfer, physical process, and chemical reaction. The partial differential equations of the process kinetic model involve derivatives in time and bed depth. Comparing the results with measured data proves that the model can be used for optimizing the iron ore pellet induration process and as an effective tool for other, similar thermodynamic process simulations.

KEYWORDS:

• Adams-Moulton’s method
• algorithm
• dropping and rolling rules
• explicit finite difference
• grate-kiln system
• iron ore pellet
• packing algorithm