Utilization of Sawdust in the Reduction of Iron Concentrate: An Experimental and Thermodynamic Study

This study investigates the reduction of iron oxides in Sangan concentrate using biomass (sawdust) as an eco-friendly reducing agent. Various mixtures of the concentrate and the biomass were prepared in ratios of ۱:۴, ۱:۲, and ۱:۱, and their reduction behavior was evaluated thermodynamically using FactSage ۶.۱ software and experimentally in a horizontal tube furnace. The results showed that the reduction of hematite to magnetite completed below ۳۰۰ °C for all ratios and the reduction continued, leading to increased metallic iron production up to ۵۰۰ °C. Interestingly, above this temperature, reoxidation processes began, resulting in the formation of wüstite. The experimental results show that the main part of the reduction of iron oxides in the concentrate occurs by fixed carbon of the biomass, and volatiles of the biomass have a lesser effect on the reduction of the concentrate. This is considered to be due to the low temperature and high gasification rate of biomass volatiles. Despite thermodynamic predictions suggesting complete reduction by fixed carbon of biomass, experimental values for the reductions were lower. This fact is due to the slow kinetics associated with solid-solid reductions. The findings from this research present a promising pathway for enhancing the sustainability of iron and steel production by utilizing biomass, emphasizing the critical balance between temperature, time, and reactant ratios to achieve optimal reduction efficiencies.

کلیدواژه ها:

Biomass ، Reduction ، Iron Oxide ، Volatiles ، Fixed Carbon ، Thermodynamic