Some raw materials' problems for iron-making in India

In this paper references have been made to some of the difficulties in the handling and processing of iron ore fines under Indian tropical rainy conditions for their utilisation as sinter for iron smelting. Attention has also been drawn to some of the difficulties met with in the case of Indian iron blast furnace slags with their high alumina contents vis-à-vis desired optimum fluidity consistent with adequate de-sulphurising potential, which makes iron-making using sintered burden made of unbeneficiated iron ore fines highly complex. References have been made to slag viscosity diagrams in this connection. Some preliminary work on coke-oven gas injection experiments in a small furnace at the National Metallurgical Laboratory has been referred to in the background of overall advantages such injections have been reported to yield. (Dr. B.R. Nijhawan, Director, National Metallurgical Laboratory