DEVELOPMENTS IN MODELING AND SIMULATION OF IRON-ORE SINTERING

A mathematical model of the iron ore sintering process has been developed. Sintering on a strand or in a sinter pot is described through expressions for heat and mass transfer, drying and condensation of water, melting and solidification, and variation of bed characteristics such as granule diameter, channelling factor, and void fraction. The shrinkage of the bed that occurs during sintering is also modelled. Chemical reactions in the model include: liberation of bound water; decomposition of limestone; combustion of coke and subsequent reduction of carbon dioxide; redox reactions of hematite and magnetite involving carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and oxygen; formation of calcium ferrite; and dissolution of gangue and silica in the melt. The current state of the model and simulation program is described, and some results of recent validation tests are presented.