Production of low sulphur sponge iron using coal as a reducing agent

Objective

The objective of this project is to design, implement and test at pilot scale a novel technology for producing low sulphur sponge iron in a stationary bed using coal as a reducing agent and limestone or lime as a desulphurising agent. The new process is based on a rotary hearth furnace. A first layer, consisting of a blend of pulverized coal and limestone (or lime), is charged on the rotating hearth. Then, a second layer consisting of iron ore fines is fed on top of the first layer. The furnace is heated to 1200-1400ºC. The carbon of the pulverized coal reacts with CO2 and generates the CO, which reduces the iron oxides. The sulphur released by the coal is fixed by the limestone (or by the lime). Due to the high temperature, the reduced iron layer is sintered; this allows an easy separation of the DRI layer from the powdered bottom layer containing coal ashes and CaS. Experiments carried out at laboratory scale based on this new process show excellent results: the DRI produced in a relatively short processing time (<= 15 minutes) has a high level of metallization (>90%) and a low sulphur content (< 0.02%).

Programme(s)

ECSC-STEELDEM 3C - Medium-term guidelines (ECSC) for the programmes of technical steel research and of steel pilot/demonstration projects, 1991-1995

Topic(s)

T1 - Iron and steelmaking

Call for proposal

Data not available

Funding Scheme

CSC - Cost-sharing contracts

Coordinator

CENTRE DE RECHERCHES METALLURGIQUES

EU contribution

No data

Address

Rue Ernest Solvay, 11
4000 LIEGE
Belgium

Total cost