Quality and productivity enhancement of sintering process using correlation-based online permeability by infrared-based flow measurement technique

Abstract

Sinter is the most preferred metallic burden for modern-day blast furnaces. It is produced by agglomeration of iron ore fines in sinter machine. Sintering process depends on airflow through the sinter bed under high suction. The airflow through the sinter bed is measured by sinter bed permeability and has direct correlation with sinter productivity. Permeability can be determined by different ways. Among these methods, permeability detection by measuring the airflow through granular sinter bed by placing the instrument in the static wind box is very well known. But there is a challenge due to multiphase and turbulent conditions in the wind box.Infrared-based flow measurement technique has been used to measure flow. Therefore, this flow has been used to get permeability in the form of JPU (Japanese Permeability Unit). Productivity increases by 4% in spite of decrease in mean particle size of iron ore by 3.4% for a fixed time duration.

Utilization of micro-fines in sinter making and its implications on bed permeability and sinter quality

“…Also, at higher temperature some magnetite structures were formed which were also responsible for lower RDI [18]. During trials with lower amount of ultra-fines, few dendritic SFCA and silicate melt were formed due to high bed permeability and lower sintering time [19,20]. Formation of dendritic SFCA was observed above 1200°C and size range between 1 and 4 µm.…”