The Influence of Basicity on the Softening and Melting Behaviors of Limonitic Laterite Ore Sinter

Abstract

The research explores the impact of basicity on the softening and melting behaviors of limonite laterite nickel ore sinter. With the global decline of sulfide nickel ore resources, the extraction of nickel metal from laterite nickel ores has become a primary method. This study conducts a comprehensive experimental analysis and simulation of the behavioral characteristics of laterite nickel ore sinters and the properties of the soft melting zone to understand its key influencing factors and mechanisms in the blast furnace smelting process. Due to the unique composition of laterite nickel ore sinter, its softening zone position in the blast furnace is generally higher. Increasing the basicity can significantly improve the position and range of the softening zone, and when the basicity reaches 1.3, the permeability of the furnace material is optimal. Simultaneously, increasing the basicity can mitigate the adverse effects of the difficult‐to‐reduce and difficult‐to‐melt substance, chrompicotite, and its reduction products.