Before being used as a raw material in the production of pellets, iron ore goes through the separation process used in steel production. When one thinks of buildings, the first things that usually come to mind are steel and concrete.
There is no doubt that these are essential components that are vital to the building process. But what constitutes these components?
Most of us are woefully unaware of the fact that iron ore is an essential ingredient in steel production. Steel production consumes almost all of the world’s iron ore reserves, accounting for 98% of total production.
Which type of iron ore is used in the steel production process? Iron ore is often processed and separated into a variety of by-products before being used in steel production. The use of unprocessed iron ore is very unusual. Pellets are an example of such products.
Importance of pellets derived from iron ore
Iron ore pellets are an essential component in the making of steel, a contemporary metal that serves as a foundation for growth and development.
Steel is widely used in the construction of almost any type of building, including skyscrapers, bridges, transportation methods, workplaces, and residential structures.
If iron ore pellets were not used in this process, steelmaking would not be as stratified and accelerated as it is today. Steel production is a reliable indicator of the overall level of growth and development of a country, and iron ore pellets are the raw material that makes this growth possible.
How exactly are pellets made from iron ore?
For your convenience, a brief overview of the bullet manufacturing process is provided below. In most cases, pellets are produced through a manufacturing process using iron ore.
These are rectangular pieces of iron ore that have been strengthened using fuel. Pelletizing is the name given to the process of turning iron ore into pellets. After that, iron ore pellets go into steel production.
Pellets are usually chosen as the most practical option over pig iron ore because pellets provide the highest possible level of iron ore utilization. This is important because iron ore reserves are running out around the world.
Therefore, using processes such as pelletizing and sintering helps ensure that none of these valuable resources are wasted.
Pellets are often produced from iron ore during the manufacturing process. These are rectangular pieces of iron ore that have been hardened using fuel. After that, iron ore pellets go into steel production.
Pellets are usually preferred over pig iron ore because pellets give the highest possible level of iron ore utilization. This is important because iron ore reserves are running out around the world.
Therefore, using processes such as pelletizing and sintering helps ensure that none of these valuable resources are wasted.
What is the iron ore pelletizing process?
The pelletizing process begins with the use of iron ore that is ground into fine powder. After this stage, the seeds are shaped into balls.
After that, this iron ore concentrate is exposed to high temperatures for heating and drying. The next step is to grind this dried residue while also adding some bentonite, which is a chemical that acts as a glue.
The concentrate is then put through a machine called a disc pelletizer, which is specialized equipment that helps form pellets of standard size.
After the pellets are formed, they are first cooled and then subjected to a process involving high temperatures that harden them.
It is important to know that there are several pelletizing techniques to choose from. The grate furnace method is the method that is used more and more.
Creating pellets of uniform size which in turn leads to increased mechanical quality of the pellets is the main advantage of this method among many other advantages.
Types of iron ore pellets
The method used during the manufacturing process determines the type of pellet produced. It is also based on this process that quality grades are assigned to the pellets created.
DRI bullets are often considered one of the most important types of bullets. The acronym DRI stands for “direct reduced iron”.
At this stage, the iron is converted into pellets or pellets by direct reduction. Because the oxygen in the ore is removed early in the process, pellets of this type tend to be lighter in weight.
Useful uses of iron ore pellets
Now that we have a better understanding of the importance of these pellets, let’s look at the reasons why they play such an important role in steel production. During the stage of the steelmaking process known as the blast furnace, these pellets act as a substitute for sinters or as calibrating masses.
The reduction process will be accelerated thanks to the high porosity of the material. Permeability is ensured by the distinctive shape of the pellets, which are round and have open pores. This makes the furnace easier to operate.
Bullets have a high resistance to decomposition due to their inherent strength. The production of high-quality steel depends on pellets that have a consistent chemical composition.
A complete guide to iron ore pelletizing
The term “iron ore pellets” refers to hardened, fine spheres with a maximum diameter of 20 mm. Raw materials are most commonly used in the production of iron and steel in companies such as the Metallics series.
The pelletizing process did not become widespread in the world until after World War II. In the United States, there was a shortage of natural high-grade iron ore. Because of this, there was a need to use low-grade iron, which led to the development of the pelletizing process.
In addition, pellets are used in the process of feeding blast furnaces as well as units that produce direct reduced iron. Did you know that on average around the world 62% of iron ore is turned into pellets to make steel?
Additionally, as high-grade ore reserves are being depleted, the use of pellets made from fine ore ore has increased. Around 2000, the use of bullets also increased in Asian countries.
pellet manufacturing
Pellet iron is the raw material used in the blast furnace in the production of steel, and its production is very important for this process.
Iron ore concentrates with a granulometry of less than 150 m and a low concentration of impurities are agglomerated through the pelletization process.
The purpose of refining this iron ore in the furnace at a temperature of about 1200 degrees Celsius is to produce a product with a diameter of 10-20 mm with physical, chemical and mechanical properties suitable for entering the blast furnace or producing DRI.
This iron ore is combined with water, bentonite (or other cheaper and less polluting organic binders) and lime (directly reduced iron).
Pelletizing is the best way to handle raw mixes with a high proportion of fines (150 m) because their sintering is detrimental to the performance of the Dwight-Lloyd sinter.
