Reaction Mechanism of Siderite Lump in Coal-Based Direct Reduction

Abstract

Siderite is one of the significant iron ore resources in China and yet is difficult to upgrade by traditional beneficiation processes. A process of coal-based direct reduction–magnetic separation was successfully developed for the beneficiation of siderite. However, few studies have thoroughly investigated the mechanism of the direct reduction of siderite. In order to reveal the reaction mechanism of coal-based direct reduction of siderite lump, thermodynamics of direct reduction was investigated with coal as the reductant. The thermodynamics results indicate that coal-based direct reduction process of siderite lump at 1,050°C follows the steps as FeCO3→ Fe3O4→ FeO → Fe, which is verified by chemical titration analysis, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope. The microstructure of siderite sample varies with different reduction stages and some 45% porosity induced by thermal decomposition of siderite is conductive to subsequent reduction. The conversion of FeO to Fe is the main reduction rate-controlling step. The reduced product with the metallic iron size over 30 μm can be effectively beneficiated by wet magnetic separation after grinding. The obvious layered structure of reduced product is due to different heat transfer resistance, CO and CO2 concentration.

Keywords

• siderite lump
• coal-based direct reduction
• reduction reaction mechanism
• thermal decomposition
• thermodynamics