Carbothermic reaction of high-combined-water-iron ore and coal composite pellets

The availability of high grade iron ore and carbon materials for ironmaking industry decreases gradually. On the contrary, low-grade iron ore and coals are extensively utilized not only as suplement materials but also as alternative raw materials. In Indonesia context, the pull of government policy to increase added value of local natural resources makes a bigger opportunity to process low grade iron ore and carbon materials for ironmaking industry, such as lateritic iron ore and coal. The iron ores usually compose of a major component minerals with high combined water, namely geothite or FeOOH and with high amount of gangue. Generally, it is still required beneficiation process to obtain concentrated feed for ironmaking. The possibility of low grade iron ore utilization was investigated by using nugget iron ore. The result showed that the experiment which simulated direct reduction process gave iron recovery about 96-97%. Recent works on low grade iron ore which contain high combined water and coal composite reports gasification reaction during the process which may decrease the reduction reaction temperature. The result implies the advantage of utilization low grade iron ore with high combined water