Abstract

Direct reduction of iron ore (DRI) is gaining an increased attention due to the growing need to decarbonize industrial processes. The current industrial DRI processes are performed using reformed natural gas, which results in CO2 emission, although it is less than carbothermic reduction in the blast furnace. Carbon-free reduction may be realized through the utilization of green H2 as a reducing agent, in place of natural gas. Herein, the effects of various gas mixtures and temperature on the reduction kinetics of the hematite iron-ore pellets are focused on in this work. Pellets are reduced at 700, 800, 850, and 900 °C in hydrogen and using various gas mixes at 850 °C. Morphology of the pellets is investigated with the help of scanning electron microscopy and mercury intrusion porosimetry. The effects of temperature and gas composition on the reduction kinetics and porosity of the pellets are discussed. A notable effect of reduction rate on the internal structure of the pellets is detected, slower reduction rate yielded bigger pores offsetting the gas composition. Higher temperature results in coarser pores and higher porosity. Increase of CO content in the gas mix also leads to bigger pore size.

Department(s)

Materials Science and Engineering

Publication Status

Full Access

Comments

U.S. Department of Energy, Grant DE‐EE0009250

Keywords and Phrases

CO; direct reduction; hematite; hydrogen; iron ores; pellets; porosity

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

1869-344X; 1611-3683

Document Type

Article - Journal

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2023 Wiley, All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Jan 2023

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