Reductants in iron ore sintering: A critical review

The iron and steel industry are expanding to meet the steel demand. Raw materials used in steel manufacturing gradually degrade in quality and quantity over time. Heating and power needs in this sector are primarily met by coal. Sintering is regulated and impacts overall gas emissions (including CO and CO2). Iron-making plants, particularly those engaged in agglomeration processes like sintering; require alternative fuels to limit their CO2 emissions to the environment. This review focuses on explaining the role that various reductants/fuels play in the sintering of iron ore and how those choices affect product quality and the surrounding ecosystem. Coke breeze is used as primary fuel source. Still, alternative, less expensive options such as coal, charcoal, biomass, and wastes from iron and steel-making units offer great promise as partial or complete replacements for coke breeze. This work primarily focuses on the impact of fuel characteristics, particle size distribution, and sintering parameters with associated emissions.

Automated summary

The iron and steel industry needs alternative fuels to limit CO2 emissions, and coke breeze can be substituted by other options.