Assessment of iron ore pellets production using two charcoals with different content of materials volatile replacing partially anthracite fines

Iron ore pelletizing plant consumes coal, pet coke, oil and natural gas to get the required chemistry, physical and metallurgical properties for iron ore pellets, consumed in steel industry. Tests were carried out to burn green iron ore pellets, which consumed natural gas; coal (anthracite fines) and two different eucalyptus charcoal (replacing the anthracite fines partially) with two different range of volatile materials. First charcoal with a volatile range of 20.3–25.98% and, a second one varying from 9.4 to 11.1%. Based on fixed carbon (10 kg/1 ton of pellets) content in green mixture, several tests were done to replace approximately 0.0, 7.5, 10.0 and 35.0% of anthracite fines by the two different charcoals, each turn with one charcoal, at the end both charcoals were tested and replaced the anthracite fines in the same amount of fixed carbon content. The “zero” replacement was the standard pellet trial, produced only with anthracite fines. Experiments were performed on a pilot scale plant using a mixer for green mixture, pelletizing disk, and a reactor of “pot grate” type for burning green pellets, that reactor simulated the traveling grate indurating machine. After burning, samples were collected to undergo physical tests, such as: tumble, abrasion and crushing strength. It was possible to replace 7.5% of anthracite fines by the two eucalyptus charcoal. Still 10.0% of replacement of anthracite fines was possible with the charcoal with lower volatile matter. Keywords: Iron ore pellet, Solid fuel, Physical tests, Pelletizing proces