Mathematical model of thermal processes in an iron ore sintering bed

An unsteady one-dimensional model of an iron ore sintering bed with multiple solid phases was proposed. The proposed model confers a phase on each solid material. The present model was established with a series of conservation equations in the form of a partial differential equation for each solid phase and gas phase. Coke combustion, limestone decomposition, gaseous reaction, heat transfers in/between each phase, and geometric changes of the solid particles are reflected by each term of the governing equations. Simulation results are compared with the limited experimental data set of sintering pot tests. Parametric studies for various initial water contents and coke diameters have also been performed. The simulation results predict the experimental results well and show physically reasonable trends for various parameters.