Influence of sulfur content in raw materials on oxidized pellets

The influence of sulfur content in raw materials on oxidized pellets was studied. The results show that most sulfur exists in the form of elementary sulfur in pyrite cinder, and over 95% sulfur is removed in producing pyrite cinder oxidized pellets. The compressive strength of fired pellets drops from 3 186 N to 2 405 N when the ratio of pyrite cinder increases from 40% to 70% under the conditions of preheating at 900 °C for 9 min and firing at 1 230 °C for 15 min. The porosity and microstructures of fired pellets prove that the higher ratio of pyrite cinder is given, and the more holes and cracks are achieved, leading to the better reducibility index (RI) and reduction swelling index (RSI), and the lower compressive strength of fired pellets and the worse reduction degradation index (RDI).