Non-Isothermal Reduction Kinetics of Iron Ore Fines with Carbon-Bearing Materials

This study investigates the non-isothermal reduction of iron ore fines with two different carbon-bearing materials using thermogravimetric technique. The fines/carbon composites were heated from room temperature up to 1100 °C heating rates (5, 10, 15, and 20 °C/min) under an argon atmosphere. effect carbon sources on rate was intensively investigated. Reflected light scanning electron microscopes used examine morphological structure reduced composite. results showed that affected extent rate. Under same rate, relatively higher by charcoal than coal. behavior ore-coal proceeded step wisely as follows: Fe2O3 → Fe3O4 FeO Fe. ore/charcoal finally metallic iron. kinetics deduced applying methods (model-free model-fitting). calculated activation energies Fe2O3/charcoal Fe2O3/coal are 40.50–190.12 kJ/mol 55.02–220.12 kJ/mol, respectively. These indicated is controlled gas diffusion at initial stages nucleation reaction final stages.