Numerical Simulation of Pellet Induration Process at Goharzamin Iron Ore Pelletizing Plant

In this paper, iron ore pellet induration process of Goharzamin pelletizing plant is numerically simulated. The main objective in the drying stage (UDD and DDD) is reduction of the moisture content of pellets to zero and sintering of pellets occur in preheating, firing and after-firing zones. Also there are two cooling zones at the end of process. The equations of heat transfer between drying gas and pellets, evaporation of moisture and gas flow are formulated. Furthermore, the equations of energy and mass balance are discretized using the finite difference method. The model is validated using numerical and experimental results from Mobarakeh Steel Complex pilot induration furnace. The results showed that the bottom layers start to heat up in UDD then in DDD the pellets of top layers start to heat up until the highest temperature reaches ۴۰۰ oC. The maximum temperature is ۱۳۰۰ oC in the firing zone and the pellet sintering operation is finalized at this temperature. After sintering, fired pellets are cooled down to about ۱۰۰ oC in the cooling zones at the end of the furnace

Keywords:

Mathematical modeling , straight-grate furnace , iron pellet induration