Effect of Replacing Coke with Biomass Fuel on Sinter Properties and Pollutant Emissions

Abstract

In the iron-ore-sintering process, the use of biomass charcoal instead of coke breeze can reduce the emission of flue gas pollutants and alleviate the energy crisis of fossil fuels. However, the direct application of biomass charcoal to iron ore sintering is bound to affect the sinter properties. The effects of biomass charcoal addition on the sintering ore properties and flue gas pollutants emission were studied through sintering cup and related performance test experiments. Meanwhile, the influence mechanism of biomass charcoal instead of coke breeze on iron ore sintering was expounded. The experimental results show that with an increase in biomass charcoal, the vertical sintering rate increased, the internal pore structure developed rapidly, and the pollutant emission decreased gradually. When the biomass charcoal content was less than 40%, the sinter strength and yield were stable and slightly improved with the increase in biomass charcoal. When the biomass charcoal content was higher than 40%, the metallurgical properties of sinter degraded sharply, making it difficult to meet the production requirements. The comprehensive effect of biomass charcoal on the sinter suggests that the suitable biomass charcoal addition was 40%; under this condition, the reduction in SO2 and NOx was 28.2% and 25.7%, respectively.

The mechanism of NOx removal in the sintering process based on source reduction of carbon emissions

“…20 During the sintering process of iron ore, when the substitution ratio of biocarbon for coke fines is 50%, the emission of NO during sintering is minimized, with a reduction of over 90% in accumulated NO emissions in the exhaust gas. Chao Liu et al 21 suggested that the optimal addition ratio of biomass charcoal is 40%, under which conditions NO x is reduced by 25.7%. Regarding the decrease in oxygen content and the increase in oxygen consumption, elemental analysis reveals that poplar wood charcoal has higher fixed carbon and hydrogen content compared to coke fines.…”

Coke Substitution with Anthracite in Sintering Production

“…Most of the atmospheric pollutants released come from the iron and steel industry, and more than 42% of the dust, 65% of the SO 2 , and 55% of the NO x are emitted as exhaust gas pollutants during the sintering process. The S and N content in fossil fuels is high and a large amount of SO 2 and NO x is released during iron ore sintering [3,4].…”