Numerical research on combining flue gas recirculation sintering and fuel layered distribution sintering in the iron ore sintering process

A mathematical model was established based on a porous media model and local nonequilibrium thermodynamics model. The conventional iron ore sintering (CIOS) process was simulated with this model, and the reliability of the model was verified by field testing. Based on the CIOS simulation results, and focused on maintaining the stability of the highest temperature of the sintering bed and waste heat utilization of the flue gas, flue gas recirculation sintering (FGRS) and fuel layered distribution sintering (FLDS) are proposed. Optimized iron ore sintering (OIOS) is also proposed based on the combination of FGRS and FLDS. The simulation results indicate that OIOS can increase the highest temperature of the upper part of the sintering bed and decrease that of the lower part. OIOS can increase the thickness of the sintering bed over a reasonable temperature range, making the distribution of the highest temperature in the sintering bed more reasonable and the sintering process more stable. Waste heat utilization of OIOS is increased by 1.7453 x 10(8) kJ/h and fuel consumption of OIOS is decreased by 2.66 compared to values for CIOS. OIOS can decrease flue gas emissions, reduce the burden of the desulfurization system, and increase the recirculation rate of flue gas. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.