Title: On Performance Characteristics of Kenyan Iron Ore for Iron Making
Abstract:In the last more than four thousand years, the iron making technology has come a long way. The transition from bloom in bloomeries to molten iron produced in blast furnaces was the first major step in...In the last more than four thousand years, the iron making technology has come a long way. The transition from bloom in bloomeries to molten iron produced in blast furnaces was the first major step in advancing iron making technology. An average modern blast furnace has an inner volume of about 3500 m3 and produces about 8000 t of hot metal per day thus consuming about 12000 t of iron bearing material and 4000 t of coke per day. On the contrary alternative, iron making processes like DRI making can utilize non-coking coal without use of coke. There is, however, a continuous endeavour to develop several alternative processes for iron making. These iron making systems are beset with process complexities mainly in finding the proper raw materials comprising both iron ore and matching reducing agents. So the experience of the operators and the engineers still have a dependence of ironmaking processes on the performance characteristics of iron bearing minerals and reducing agents. Kenya has, in recent years, discovered significant reserves of iron ore and coal. It is, therefore, expedient to determine as to whether these iron making raw materials could economically be utilised in some of the iron making processes, including the blast furnace. The paper seeks to examine the performance characteristics of Kenyan iron making raw materials under conditions simulating some of the essential features of blast furnace and directly reduced iron making processes. It also discusses various aspects of alternative iron making processes vis-a vis the physico-chemical properties of Kenyan iron ore for an energy efficient and environmentally benign production units both for directly reduced iron and liquid hot metal operations.Read More
Publication Year: 2015
Publication Date: 2015-03-15
Language: en
Type: article
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