Effect of Additives on the Reduction and Melting Separation of Ludwigite/Coal Composite Pellet

Abstract

Iron nugget could be got at high temperature using carbon composite pellet, which were made by the mixture of ludwigite and reducing agent. In order to reduce sulfur content in the nugget, effects of additives on t he desulfurization was investigated. The sulfur content could be dramatically reduced if the CaO was introduced into the pellet and the sulfur content was as low as 0.046wt.% when the addition amount of CaO was 5wt.%. However, the melting separation of pellet became increasingly difficult and the yield of iron decreased when CaO content in the pellet gradually increased. Na₂CO₃ could also reduce the sulfur content in the iron nugget and made the iron and slag separate difficultly as w ell. When 6wt.% Na₂CO₃ was added into the pellet, the pellet was too difficult to melt separation and the sulfur content in the nugget was 0.084wt.%, which didn’t meet the need of steel making.