NEW ANALYSIS METHOD OF SINTER CAKE PORE STRUCTURE FOR PERMEABILITY EVALUATION

The pore structure of sinter cake was observed in three-dimensional manner by high energy X-ray computerized tomography. Most pores of 5 mm or more in two-dimensional size were stem pores linked with each other, forming complicated three-dimensional networks. A new analysis method employing X-ray computerized tomography has been developed for evaluating the sinter cake pore structure, based on a network model. This method has successfully made it possible to quantify the complexities of the pore structure. Applying this method to the analysis of sinter cakes having different permeabilities, the importance of not only porosity but also pore branch structure for the permeability was elucidated. Promoting the coalescence of iron ore particles to secure open pores (stem pores) improves the permeability of sinter cake because of producing an effectively permeable pore network.